Google has urged the South Korean authorities to relax laws pertaining to map data, as the regulations are putting a brake on the development of Google Maps' features in the country.
The company had several discussions with high-ranking officials prior to a closed-door meeting with the nation's government on May 18.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the meeting, which is supervised by President Park Geun-Hye, is supposed to look at proposals to modify existing laws.
Among other things, the new laws should permit drones and autonomous vehicles to roam the country. The government has plans to transform the country into a buzzing tech development field, with increased facilities for the Internet of Things, solar power modules, 3D printing and more.
So far, a lot of these efforts were hindered by laws that prevented the South Korean government from sharing accurate maps.
One reason behind the secrecy is that South Korea is under direct threat from its northern neighbor. South Korea allows map data exports under strict conditions, such as blurring satellite images that contain information about military bases.
"We are in a tense situation with North Korea and thus security is very important," says Koh Young-jin, an official at the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
Google points out that the draconic regulations ironically make Google Maps more reliable in North Korea. This also applies to driving directions.
The South Korean government did promise to provide English-language digital maps to enterprises back in 2013. However, Google underlines that the new data cannot provide enough information to deliver accurate directions.
According to the report, Google is dissatisfied with the advantage that local rivals hold over Google Maps. The app faces direct competition from Daum and Naver, two local Internet companies.
Foreign tech companies that want to expand to South Korea have a tough time doing so because of the existing policy centered on secrecy and national security. Even local ventures, such as Hyundai Motors, have to suffer because of the lack of detailed location-based services.
Joongang Daily mentions [translated] that the carmaker is unable to sell its Sonata sedan in South Korea, as the embedded Android Auto needs to access Google Maps for full functionality.
Meanwhile, Google Maps keeps getting neat updates all around the world. Read about the latest label and sticker customization in the directions app in our coverage.
