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By Lee Min-hyung
The government is in a growing dilemma over whether to allow Google to host the nation's map data abroad, as uncertainty lingers over how relationships between Washington and Seoul will develop following Donald Trump's presidential victory last week, experts said Monday.
The dispute has been the talk of the IT town here in recent months, as the government and Google have failed to narrow their differences over the plan. Following months-long internal discussions, a special state-run committee ― led by the National Geographic Information Institute (NGII) ― will make its final decision no later than Nov. 23.
But with Trump's unexpected victory casting growing political and economic uncertainties across the Korean Peninsula, the government is experiencing a more complex double bind, according to observers.
"Donald Trump used to be a businessman, which means he knows how to negotiate," Korea University professor Lim Jong-in said. "Many critics argue that the next U.S. president will pose a bigger challenge to us, but I think we have enough room for negotiation with the upcoming Washington government over the issue."
No one knows how the relationship between Korea and the U.S. will develop down the road, which is why we should take a wait-and-see approach over the issue.
"The government is in a state of crisis over the latest political scandal surrounding President Park Geun-hye," he said. "Under the circumstances, it would be better for us to negotiate with the upcoming Trump administration over details of the map data dispute."
The remark reflects that the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in April said that the search engine giant is suffering setbacks in its map business in Korea because of the local regulations on the Google Maps service.
The committee ― whose members include the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ― has for this reason failed to draw a specific consensus about the Google request despite the months-long internal discussion.
An IT industry sources said: "The defense ministry will likely disapprove of the request, whereas the foreign ministry hopes the government will grant approval over concerns for possible diplomatic friction with the upcoming Trump administration."
"The government should make its decision for the advancement of national interest, regardless of the specific data concerning its decision," he added.
Meanwhile, the controversy erupted on Jun. 1 when Google requested the NGII to approve its plan to host the nation's geographical data abroad.
Following the request, the committee held two rounds of discussions to analyze potential side effects that the move will bring.
In particular, the nation's IT industry expressed deep regret over the Google plan, citing various factors including national security and reverse discrimination against local companies. Naver, the nation's top portal operator, takes the position that Google should establish a data center in Korea, just like other Seoul-based IT firms who abide by the Korean laws.
Amid mounting controversy, the committee on Aug. 24 delayed the decision, citing its failure to conduct a more comprehensive review.
At that time, the NGII CEO Choi Byung-nam said it will hold further talks with Google over the impact that the issue will bring on the country.
