Google accepts South Korean regulations on maps, ending nearly two decades of dispute.

On September 9, Google announced it would comply with South Korea's request to blur sensitive satellite imagery on its mapping service, paving the way for competition with domestic positioning platforms.

Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California, USA - Photo: AFP

According to AFP on September 9, the American technology giant Google said it will comply with the South Korean government 's request to blur sensitive satellite images on its Google Maps service, paving the way for the company to compete with domestic mapping platforms such as Naver and Kakao.

This move is seen as a turning point marking the end of a nearly two-decade-long dispute in which Google repeatedly requested access to detailed South Korean map data to provide comprehensive walking and driving directions, but Seoul steadfastly refused for national security reasons.

South Korea is one of the few places in the world —along with Russia and China—where Google Maps cannot operate fully due to South Korean law requiring companies to store core geographic data domestically—a requirement Google has consistently refused to meet.

This has led to domestic technology companies like Naver and Kakao dominating the map service market, although it makes it difficult for international tourists to navigate and find their way around because they are unfamiliar with using the local platform.

Until September 9th, Google confirmed for the first time that it would comply with the request from Seoul.

"We have confirmed our commitment to the government regarding the blurring of satellite imagery as required and will consider acquiring data from third parties approved by South Korea when appropriate," Google Vice President Cris Turner told reporters.

Turner added that Google will “invest significant time and resources” in removing coordinates related to security facilities from its maps.

Previously, the issue of accessing Google Maps was raised in trade negotiations between South Korea and the United States, when Seoul reached tariff reduction agreements with US President Donald Trump.

The South Korean presidential office affirmed that highly accurate mapping data was one of the topics discussed “most” with the U.S. side, but stressed that the country “would not make any further concessions” in this area.

According to industry sources who spoke to AFP, South Korean officials are still in discussions with the US, with the possibility of exporting high-precision mapping data remaining on the agenda.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/google-chap-nhan-quy-dinh-han-quoc-ve-ban-do-ket-thuc-gan-hai-thap-ky-tranh-chap-20250909124350009.htm