Google Maps Finally Granted High-Precision Data Export.

In a historic policy shift announced on February 27, 2026, the South Korean government has officially approved Google’s request to export detailed 1:5,000-scale mapping data to overseas servers. For over a decade, Google Maps in Korea lacked full walking and driving directions because high-precision data was restricted to domestic servers for national security reasons. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport granted approval on the condition that Google blurs satellite images of military sites and removes specific geographic coordinates that could be exploited. This move is expected to drastically improve the experience for international tourists and boost the development of autonomous vehicle and smart city technologies within the country.

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