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South Korea Postpones Decision on Google’s Map Data Export Request

/in /tarafından

South Korea has once again delayed its decision on Google’s request to export detailed map data, saying it will wait until the company provides additional documentation required for review, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on Tuesday.

The ministry’s National Geographic Information Institute (NGII) has given Google 60 business days — until February 5, 2026 — to submit the necessary materials before a final ruling is made.

The request involves Google’s plan to transfer 1:5,000-scale map data — equivalent to 50 meters per centimeter — to servers outside the country. Google says this level of detail is necessary for accurate navigation services, comparable to those offered by domestic firms Kakao Corp and Naver.

South Korea previously rejected similar requests from Google in 2007 and 2016, citing national security concerns about storing sensitive geographical data overseas.

In September, Google said it would comply with South Korea’s security requirements, including ensuring that coordinate data for locations within the country are not displayed to users inside or outside South Korea and agreeing to blur images of security-sensitive facilities.

However, the ministry stated that Google has not yet submitted an updated application reflecting these commitments. The inconsistencies between the company’s previous statements and its formal submissions have complicated the review process.

The dispute comes as Seoul and Washington continue talks on trade and security agreements, adding geopolitical weight to the outcome of Google’s mapping request.

South Korea Blocks DeepSeek Amid Security Concerns, Following Global Warnings

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South Korea’s industry ministry has temporarily blocked employee access to the Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek due to security concerns, marking the latest move by governments to restrict the use of certain AI services. A ministry official confirmed on Wednesday that the ban was implemented in response to growing apprehension surrounding generative AI technologies.

On Tuesday, the South Korean government issued a notice urging caution among ministries and agencies regarding the use of AI services such as DeepSeek and ChatGPT in work-related tasks. The notice followed earlier actions by state-run entities, with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power confirming it had blocked access to DeepSeek earlier this month.

The country’s defense ministry also took action, blocking access to DeepSeek on military computers, while the foreign ministry restricted its use on devices connected to external networks, according to Yonhap News Agency. However, the foreign ministry did not provide further details regarding the specific security measures taken.

DeepSeek, which was not immediately available for comment, joins a growing list of companies facing scrutiny over potential security risks. Both Australia and Taiwan have recently banned the AI service from government devices, citing similar security concerns. In January, Italy’s data protection authority ordered DeepSeek to block its chatbot after the company failed to address privacy issues raised by regulators.

In addition to government actions, private companies in South Korea are also taking precautions. Kakao Corp, a major South Korean chat app operator, instructed employees to refrain from using DeepSeek due to security fears, particularly following its partnership with OpenAI. Other South Korean tech giants, including SK Hynix and Naver, have also restricted or limited access to generative AI services, citing concerns about data security and privacy.

The scrutiny of DeepSeek follows the company’s claim that its AI models are on par with or superior to products developed in the U.S., while being significantly cheaper to produce. South Korea’s information privacy watchdog has announced plans to inquire with DeepSeek about its user data management practices, adding another layer of regulatory attention on the Chinese startup.

 

OpenAI Partners with Kakao and Explores Stargate Project with SoftBank and Samsung

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OpenAI has announced a significant partnership with South Korea’s Kakao, marking a second high-profile alliance in Asia this week. The collaboration will focus on developing artificial intelligence products tailored for the South Korean market. Kakao, known for operating the popular messaging app KakaoTalk, which holds 97% of the local market share, is keen on leveraging OpenAI’s technology to fuel its expansion into AI, e-commerce, payments, and gaming. Despite its efforts, analysts note Kakao has lagged behind local rival Naver in the AI sector.

OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, who is currently on a tour of Asia, also met with executives from Samsung Electronics, SoftBank, and Arm Holdings in Seoul. Discussions centered around the Stargate project, an AI data centre initiative in the U.S. that is supported by U.S. President Donald Trump. SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son confirmed that potential cooperation between SoftBank, Samsung, and OpenAI regarding Stargate was discussed, though no specific details were shared. Altman declined to comment on the partnership talks, emphasizing the need for confidentiality.

The Stargate initiative aims to enhance AI capabilities in the U.S. through a collaboration between OpenAI and Oracle. Altman mentioned that several South Korean companies, particularly those in energy, semiconductors, and the internet, would play a crucial role in supporting the project. Furthermore, discussions were held with SK Group’s chairman, Chey Tae-won, regarding potential collaborations in AI chips and the broader AI ecosystem, with both Samsung and SK Hynix producing essential memory chips for AI processors.

OpenAI is also actively considering involvement in South Korea’s national AI computing centre project, which is expected to attract up to 2 trillion won ($1.4 billion) in public and private investment. This marks a continued push by OpenAI to expand its presence in Asia and solidify partnerships with major players in the region.

Following the announcement, Kakao’s stock fell by 2%, reversing the 9% surge it experienced the previous day.