Google announced on Tuesday that it will comply with South Korean government security requirements by removing coordinates from maps of the Korean region in order to obtain permission to export high-precision map data overseas.
Chris Turner, Google's Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy, stated at a press conference held in Seoul: "We will announce two additional measures to address any remaining government concerns about national security."
"First, to provide world-class navigation services in Korea, we are strengthening our long-term partnerships with local technology companies," he said.
"Second, we will remove longitude and latitude coordinates throughout Korea," he added, noting that the Seoul government has requested Google to delete this information.
Turner explained that Google is considering purchasing government-approved satellite imagery from local partners such as Tmap Mobility, a mobile platform operator under SK Square, if necessary.
He indicated that this move builds upon Google's previous decision to blur sensitive locations on maps and satellite images to help alleviate Seoul's security concerns.