Google Maps in Korea: approved in February, still no walking directions
In late February Korea gave conditional approval for Google to export 1:5,000-scale map data, ending a dispute that went back to 2007, the Korea Herald reported. Many travellers read that as “Google Maps finally works in Seoul.” It is not that simple yet.
The conditions attached
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Raw data must be processed on domestic servers through a local partner.
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Satellite, aerial and street imagery must blur military and sensitive sites.
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Contour data stays out, and Google needs an emergency shut-off mechanism and a dedicated officer in Korea.
Where it stands By April 19 the paper reported that talks had stalled, with the land ministry waiting for written compliance plans. At that point Google still offered no turn-by-turn navigation in Korea.
What this means for your trip For now, the advice on travel forums has not changed: keep Naver Map or Kakao Map on your phone for walking and transit routes, and use Google for saving places and reviews in your own language.
Has anyone noticed Google Maps behaving differently in Seoul this autumn?
Source: The Korea Herald — Korea clears exporting map data for Google · The Korea Herald — Google map export stalls
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