South Korea approves Google bid to export

South Korea ​said on Friday it had approved Google's request ​to export the country's high-precision ​map ⁠data to overseas servers, a ​major reversal after ‌two decades of rejection that clears ​the way for the U.S. tech giant to enter a market ‌dominated by ‌local ​apps. South Korea is just one of a few countries where ​Google Maps does not function properly. Seoul had shot down ​Google's previous bids in 2007 and 2016 on national security grounds, citing risks that detailed ‌map data could expose sensitive military and security facilities in a country ⁠that remains ​technically at war with North Korea. The decision comes amid ⁠pressure ⁠from the United ⁠States on South Korea to address what Washington views as discrimination against ⁠U.S. tech companies.