Seoul: South Korea is poised to approve Google Inc.'s request to export high-precision map data overseas, according to industry sources. The decision is anticipated to be made at an interagency meeting scheduled for Friday, where the government is expected to allow the U.S. technology giant to transfer 1:5,000-scale digital map data to its overseas data centers.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Google's latest request was filed in February 2025, aiming to gain permission for exporting detailed digital maps. The company recently provided supplementary materials to the transport ministry to support its application. These documents reportedly address most governmental requirements, including measures to safeguard sensitive domestic security facilities and restrict the exposure of precise geographic coordinates.

The submission from Google includes technical explanations on how it would process and manage the map data if approval is granted. However, it does not outline specific plans for establishing a data center in South Korea. The potential establishment of a local data center has been a significant point of discussion in the ongoing debate over exporting high-precision map data. Google has proposed alternative solutions to building a data center in the country, as mentioned in its supplementary materials.

Currently, Google offers map services in South Korea using publicly available 1:25,000-scale map data, enhanced with aerial and satellite imagery. The U.S. has previously expressed concerns over South Korea's restrictions on the export of high-precision maps, labeling them as non-tariff barriers.

In past instances, Google made similar requests in 2007 and 2016, both of which were denied by the government due to national security concerns, particularly the potential exposure of military bases and other sensitive facilities.