Defense chief negative over Google's request for map service

By Park Sae-jin Posted : June 30, 2016, 09:57 Updated : June 30, 2016, 09:57

A Google mapping service icon.[Courtesy of Google]


South Korea's defense chief has voiced a negative view over US search engine Google's request to use South Korean maps for its mapping service without blurring sensitive military and government locations.

Google applied for a license to access South Korean maps earlier this
month following its first attempt in 2010 failed. Government bodies should screen and deliver a decision within 60 days after the request was made.

Defense Minister Han Min-koo said in a parliamentary committee session on Wednesday that key military facilities should be blurred out first if Google hopes to use South Korean maps.

"The defense ministry maintains its position that the distinct characteristics of our security must be reflected in Google's use of domestic maps," he said. His comment was seen as a strong indication that Google may not win approval from the Seoul government.  

The minister noted that mapping services should be cautious in disclosing key military facilities in South Korea, which is technically at war with North Korea.

Goole has urged South Korea to remove what it called discriminative restrictions on its mapping service. It has refused to put one of its data servers in South Korea for its mapping service, insisting users abroad could see sensitive facilities through mapping services provided by competitors.

The tussle has hampered Google's efforts to roll out better services, including real-time traffic information, 3-D maps and driving directions.

Outside South Korea, Google using servers scattered across the world provides almost unrestricted Map services, covering sensitive features even in North Korea such as its main nuclear complex in Yongbyon, but it cannot do so in South Korea because of its draconian security law.

The law, which has been used to curb pro-North Korean activities, bans unauthorized exports of map data to data centers outside South Korea. It also requires Google's branch in South Korea to have sensitive items blur, such as military installations, nuclear power stations and the office of President Park Geun-hye.

The law blocks companies from exporting government-supplied map data to be used by Google to offer features such as driving directions, public transit information and satellite maps.

Aju News Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
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