Google Wins Conditional Nod From Seoul to Offer Precision Maps

Google won conditional approval from South Korea to offer high-precision maps in the country after a nearly two-decade battle, securing a major concession in a sign that Seoul is ready to temper national security concerns with growing tech ambitions.

Google Maps has long offered limited functionality in South Korea because of restrictions on exporting detailed geographic data, a policy rooted in security concerns. In recent years, the issue has become a flash point in broader trade talks with Washington, which has accused Seoul of discriminating against US tech companies.