"We welcome today's decision and look forward to our ongoing collaboration with local officials to bring a fully functioning Google Maps to Korea. However, the approval is contingent on the condition that strict security requirements are met, restricting Google from displaying sensitive military sites and longitude and latitude coordinates."
"South Korea has generally restricted the export of 1/5000 scale map data over national security concerns, as it's still technically at war with its neighbor North Korea. Google hasn't been able to provide mapping directions or business details since it arrived in the nation, though it has applied twice in 2007 and 2016."
"If Naver and Kakao are weakened or pushed out and Google later raises prices, that becomes a monopoly. Then, even companies that rely on map services - logistics firms, for example - become dependent on Google."
South Korea's Transport Ministry granted Google permission to export geographic data, allowing the company to provide real-time driving and walking directions, GPS services, and business listings for the first time since entering the market. The approval comes with strict security conditions prohibiting display of sensitive military sites and specific coordinates due to ongoing tensions with North Korea. South Korea had previously restricted detailed map data exports for national security reasons. Google's inability to provide mapping services previously gave local competitors like Naver and Kakao significant market advantages. Critics worry Google's entry could monopolize the mapping market, potentially harming local companies and creating dependency among logistics firms and other businesses relying on map services.
Read at Engadget
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]