Pokhara, 19 June — Apple has intensified efforts to secure access to South Korea’s high-precision map data, reigniting a sensitive debate over national security and digital sovereignty. Following in the footsteps of Google, Apple recently sought legal consultation from a Korean law firm regarding the export of 1:5,000 scale spatial data, industry sources confirmed on Thursday. This move reflects Apple’s long-standing interest in using the data to enhance location-based services such as the Find My tracking feature, Apple Pay, and the navigation systems embedded in Apple CarPlay.
Apple’s attempt follows its earlier request in 2023, which the South Korean government rejected on national security grounds. The detailed maps sought by both Apple and Google are precise enough to depict individual buildings and alleyways, and their potential use in AI development and autonomous driving makes them highly valuable for next-generation technologies. Currently, access to these maps is restricted to firms like Naver and Kakao, which operate domestic data centers in compliance with Korean regulations.
The Lee Jae Myung administration, seeking to balance technological development with national interest, now faces a dilemma as the deadline to decide on Google’s export request looms on August 11. Analysts note that a decision favoring US tech giants could ease trade tensions with Washington, but might also trigger similar demands from Chinese firms, raising diplomatic and cybersecurity concerns due to China’s data-sharing laws.
Experts including Seoul National University’s Kim Sang-bae warn that granting foreign access to the data could compromise South Korea’s AI competitiveness. Furthermore, security analysts argue that any breach could reveal sensitive infrastructure, undermining national security. Professor Lee Jung-hyun of Seoul Women’s University highlighted the risk of regulatory challenges should numerous foreign firms be allowed future access.
In response to the growing controversy, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has commissioned the National Geographic Information Institute to study future export policies for spatial data, aiming to develop a phased export strategy beyond 2027. A ministry official stated that the study would help identify vulnerabilities and develop countermeasures aligned with the national interest.
As global tech companies push to dominate AI and mobility sectors, South Korea’s decision will likely set a precedent with far-reaching implications for data governance, international trade, and national security.
