A Personal Misstep in Seoul

It began with what seemed like a routine landing. I arrived at Incheon Airport, powered up my phone, opened Google Maps, and keyed in the address of my guesthouse in Hongdae. What followed wasn’t what I expected in one of the world’s most high-tech countries. Google couldn’t give me step-by-step walking directions. Apple Maps wasn’t any better. I was staring at a city I couldn’t digitally navigate.

The situation felt more than inconvenient. It was confusing. As I later learnt, it wasn’t a tech failure. It was the result of a policy decision that has been shaping digital navigation in South Korea for over a decade.

Mapping Locked Behind Borders

Under South Korean laws, the export of high-resolution geographic data has been regulated. The Geospatial Information Management Act states, specifically in Article 16, that foreign companies cannot host or transmit detailed map data across the national border without the application for prior approval from the authorities. This includes maps at a scale of 1:5,000 — precise enough to identify small alleys, building shapes, and local infrastructure.

Instead, companies like Google and Apple must settle for the less detailed 1:25,000 scale data while operating within South Korea. For perspective, a 1:5,000 map provides five times the granularity. In practical terms, that means what would be a detailed street map in Paris or San Francisco becomes a vague city overview in Seoul.

The Current Stand-Off

Apple reapplied in June 2025 to the South Korean government for export permission for detailed mapping data. It offered concessions: cooperating with SK Telecom’s T Map as the local data provider and agreeing to mask sensitive sites. Google then followed suit and filed its revised request, aiming to blur military and strategic areas so as to satisfy government concerns by August 2025.

These moves are not new. Google first requested similar access in 2016 but declined to establish a local data centre, a condition the government insisted upon. Apple’s 2023 attempt met a similar rejection. Now, in a post-pandemic world with increasing reliance on navigation tools, the issue has resurfaced with urgency. Decisions are expected by mid-November for Google and by December for Apple.

Data Sovereignty vs. Digital Convenience

South Korea’s position is shaped by more than just caution. The country remains in a technical state of war with North Korea. Legislators fear that the export of very accurate geospatial data could lead to national security problems. Critics wield the argument that such data, when combined with low-resolution open-source imagery, could be used to locate military installations or critical infrastructure.

During a parliamentary audit in 2025, defence officials expressed concern that blurring or masking would not be sufficient. This position has deep support within the National Assembly’s Defence Committee. The debate goes beyond privacy — it’s about sovereignty.

What It Means for Travellers

For most visitors, the consequences are felt almost immediately. International tourists rely on global apps for navigation. But in South Korea, these tools lose functionality. Instead, users must turn to local applications like Naver Map or Kakao Map, which are built with government-approved data at full resolution.

Initially, these apps can be intimidating. Naver Map and Kakao Map are tailored to Korean users, although Naver has since added English, Japanese, and Chinese interfaces. Yet even with language support, they require adjustment. Address formats differ. Search accuracy can be hit or miss if you don’t input location names in Korean. Transit directions are accurate, but the user interface demands patience.

To prepare, I downloaded both apps before my trip. I also asked my guesthouse to send their address written in Korean. That one step made a difference. I pasted it directly into Naver Map, and suddenly everything clicked. Subway exits appeared. Building entrances are aligned. It worked, just not the way I was used to.

A Competitive Advantage for Local Platforms

South Korean platforms enjoy full access to high-resolution data. Naver Map, Kakao Map, and SK Telecom’s T Map dominate domestic navigation. These services provide precise street views, traffic data, and integrated public transport options.

According to TechCrunch, platforms operate at a 1:5,000 scale mapping, whereas Google and Apple can only double up to 1:25,000. The difference even limits the tourists from using these kinds of services. This precludes any more advanced feature of augmented reality directions or very fine geofencing for a rideshare application.

More than 90% of Korean smartphone users relied on domestic apps for navigation in 2024, according to local telecom data. Such deep-rooted dominance means global platforms are not merely facing regulatory barriers — they are staring at ingrained user habits.

The Global Picture

South Korea isn’t alone. In India, Google Street View was blocked for years over security concerns. In China, mapping requires joint ventures and strict oversight. During military conflicts, Israel has asked Google to disable live traffic tracking.

Mapping is a sensitive domain. It intersects with surveillance, infrastructure, and national pride. But it also touches daily convenience, especially for travellers. As more governments scrutinise how digital maps are made and shared, tourists will increasingly feel the friction.

Practical Advice for Visiting South Korea

If you’re heading to Seoul, Busan, or Jeju, prepare ahead. Download Naver Map and Kakao Map before you arrive. Switch your app language to English in the settings. Copy Korean place names into your notes app, and use those to search. Expect some trial and error, but don’t be discouraged. These apps are accurate and reliable once you get the hang of them.

Public transport in South Korea is excellent. Both Naver and Kakao provide real-time subway, bus, and walking directions. You can even check which subway car is least crowded.

QR codes at tourist attractions often launch location pages directly in local map apps. Use them. They help bridge the gap. Also, don’t rely on Apple or Google Maps for walking directions. Use them for orientation, but not routing.

Offline options like Maps.me or OpenStreetMap apps can be helpful for reference but lack real-time precision.

What Happens Next?

The next few weeks may bring a shift. If approvals are granted, Apple and Google could begin integrating more precise mapping into their services in South Korea. That could unlock AR features, smarter logistics, and deeper integration for global users.

But if the applications are rejected again, the status quo remains. Local apps stay dominant. Tourists adapt. And digital geography remains a question of jurisdiction.

As I walked through Insadong, guided by a map app I had never used before this trip, I was reminded how invisible infrastructure shapes real experiences. You only notice when it’s missing.