Naver announced on the 14th that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to utilize national spatial information and revitalize the spatial information industry. Interpretations within the information technology (IT) industry suggest that this move is a response to 'Google's request to export high-precision maps.'
On Feb. 18, Google requested the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to allow the '1:5000 scale' high-precision maps to be transferred to Google's data centers located abroad. The decision on whether high-precision maps can be exported falls to the 'Survey Performance and Overseas Export Consultative Body.' This consultative body, which includes the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Unification, National Intelligence Service, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Public Administration and Security, and Ministry of Science and ICT, operates on a consensus basis.
Naver's collaboration with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to advance 'spatial information-based technology' and develop life-close services for enhancing public convenience is interpreted as a response to Google's request. The '1:5000 scale' map requested by Google indicates an actual distance of 50 meters at a 1 cm level, which has a high degree of industrial applicability. If Google secures domestic high-precision maps, it could use them for autonomous driving, data, shopping, tourism, and other businesses. This field is also an area where Naver is heavily focused recently. Google is currently operating the 'Korea Map Service' by combining aerial and satellite images with publicly available map data at a level of 1:25,000 scale.
Earlier, in 2011 and 2016, Google requested to export maps, but the government rejected the requests, citing concerns over potential information leaks if map data containing information about military bases and other security facilities were housed on overseas servers. At that time, the government indicated it would allow map data exports if the servers were located domestically, but Google did not take relevant actions.
However, the second term of the Donald Trump administration publicly identified the Google map issue as one of the non-tariff barriers, differing from the situations in 2011 and 2016. There are analyses suggesting that the burden on the South Korean government has increased. An industry insider noted, 'If Google secures domestic high-precision maps, it could inevitably impact the domestic startup sector.'
Through this agreement, Naver has gained access to the spatial information possessed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Naver's technology subsidiary, Naver Labs, plans to process the Ministry's data using digital twin technology. This information will be incorporated into Naver Maps to establish services closely related to real life, such as three-dimensional maps and integrated indoor and outdoor route guidance.
Naver stated, 'We plan to form a spatial information consultative body and jointly pursue various tasks to enhance the construction and application of high-precision spatial information,' adding that, 'The combination of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's aerial photographs, satellite images, three-dimensional spatial information, and indoor spatial information with Naver Labs' urban digital twin solution technology will greatly enhance the precision and positional accuracy of national spatial information.'
Jo Woo-seok, head of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, noted, 'High-precision map data is a core infrastructure for future innovative industries, and through cooperation with Naver, which possesses globally recognized high-precision mapping technology, we will elevate domestic map construction technology to a world-class level.' He added, 'I expect that private investment and efforts will provide a significant opportunity for the domestic spatial information industry to leap to the next stage.'
Choi Soo-yeon, CEO of Naver, stated, 'We will strive to ensure that Naver's map platform and spatial intelligence technologies lead to even more innovative services through close cooperation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.'