The South Korean government’s delay of its final decision on Google’s request for the country’s map data has drawn public criticism that the move sidesteps national security concerns and prioritizes trade relations with the US.
The Transport Ministry stated Wednesday that it would hold back its decision on whether to allow Google to access its Korean map data, for another 60 days. The government needs more time to review its impact on national security and the local spatial information industry, it said.
The announcement came after Google made its second request in June for access to the nation’s map data, which it claims is needed to roll out full-fledged Google Maps services here. Korean law currently prohibits companies from exporting the country’s map data due to security concerns.
The US internet giant had, however, refused to comply with the Korean government’s proposed conditions. The government had asked Google to blur out sensitive state facilities -- including its military bases, as not doing so could pose a national security threat -- and to build a data center here.
Opposition lawmakers lashed out at the government, saying that it should have maintained its firm stance toward the issue, rather than delaying the decision for another two months to contemplate, citing national security and public sentiment.
“I cannot understand why the government postponed its stance on a key decision amid rising public concerns over national security,” the Minjoo Party of Korea’s chief strategist Byun Jae-il said at a National Assembly meeting Thursday.
“We must prioritize national security, the protection of our local (spatial information) industry and public sentiment. The government needs to take a firm stance on the Google Maps issue,” he said.
Meanwhile, the National Geographic Information Institute, the body under the Transport Ministry in charge of the map data in question, said in a press briefing that “a final decision was delayed as the key related ministries diverged in their stance (toward Google’s request).”
The Defense Ministry stressed the importance of national security while the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Industry and others reportedly argued that Google’s request could create potential friction in Korea-US trade relations.
Trade considerations reportedly became a key factor in the government’s decision after a video conference between trade negotiators from Seoul and Washington took place last week. The US Trade Representative, the country’s chief negotiating body, had asked Seoul officials to approve Google’s request.
Industry watchers had expected the government to deny Google’s request, as the firm said it would neither wipe out certain locations from its map services nor set up a data center in Korea.
Google had claimed that such sensitive locational data is already available through other mapping services and that it has to store Korean map data at multiple data centers abroad to be able to provide full-fledged map services.
Critics have argued that Google’s insistence on exporting the map data may be fueled by an aim to avoid paying local taxes. Under current law, foreign companies without fixed facilities here are not obliged to pay corporate taxes.
Following the government’s Wednesday decision, Google Korea released a statement saying its stance remains unchanged and that it “wants to be given an opportunity to thoroughly explain the company’s stance.”
“Google hopes to service Korean and global users with improved map services. We will continue to sincerely answer any questions regarding our request for the government’s map data,” it said.
By Sohn Ji-young (
jys@heraldcorp.com)
