U.S. Tech Giants Expected to be Allowed to Export High-precision Map Data from Korea
The government is considering allowing partial export of high-precision map data to the United States in Korea-U.S. non-tariff barrier negotiations to be held as early as this week. Accordingly, U.S. big tech companies' export of high-precision map data from Korea is expected to become possible. In return, the government has decided to block additional opening of U.S. agricultural and livestock products such as beef and rice.
According to related ministries including the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources on Dec. 14, the government plans to hold the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Joint Committee in the United States soon and finalize detailed implementation plans for non-tariff barrier mitigation. The two countries previously agreed in the Joint Fact Sheet (JFS) announced last month to reduce mutual tariffs to 15% while discussing Korea’s non-tariff barrier mitigation measures within this year, including U.S. automobile import regulations, imports of U.S. horticultural crops and living modified organism (LMO) products, and strengthening digital service access. Once the agreement implementation plan is prepared, the United States agreed to exempt tariffs on Korean generic pharmaceuticals and natural resources.
In this negotiation, the government is expected to partially allow the overseas export of 1:5,000 scale precision map data applied for by Google and Apple. Regarding this matter, the government has previously denied Google and Apple’s applications or repeatedly postponed decisions. A senior government official explained, “Spatial and location data is an issue that the United States has raised for quite a long time,” adding, “There is a need to devise measures that do not harm national security while simultaneously not discriminating against U.S. companies.” Issues regarding additional opening of U.S. agricultural and livestock products such as beef and rice will be excluded from this discussion.
Mixed voices are emerging from the business community. While there are advantages that Korean citizens can enjoy from high-precision map exports, such as advancement of autonomous driving and expansion of overseas tourists, there are concerns that big tech companies that do not invest a single won in Korea could infringe upon data sovereignty.
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