Google Maps is hoping that an upcoming decision by South Korea’s government will finally open the door to the only advanced democracy in the world where its service is still not fully functional.

Why It Matters

South Korea, a longtime U.S. ally and one of Asia’s most wired countries, stands out as one of the few places globally where Google Maps doesn’t work as it does elsewhere.

For Google , access means more than convenience for travelers. South Korea’s 51 million tech-savvy users represent a vast market for the company’s global navigation system and advertising network. Penetrating the market could potentially lure South Korean consumers and businesses into Google’s broader digital ecosystem.

Newsweek reached out to Google and to South Korea's National Geographic Information

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