South Korea throws strop at Google Earth

Found on The Register on Tuesday, 30 August 2005
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The South Korean government is to take the US to task over Google Earth on the grounds that the globetrotting online service shows sensitive military installations laid bare in a way which might benefit North Korea.

Presidential spokesman Kim Man-soo said earlier this week the powers that be were planning on "raising concerns with US authorities" after South Korean newspapers highlighted the shocking fact that Google Earth (free software download, but Mac and Linux users move along, nothing to see here...) showed "images of the presidential Blue House and military bases".

Well, since South Korea is still (technically) at war with its jolly northern neighbour, we suppose it's conceivable that Google might inadvertantly aid the Godless Commie Pyongyang regime were it to decide to march on Seoul, red banners aflutter.

Hmmm. Regarding the Blue House, we did a quick swoop over Seoul looking for a big blue building with a stretch limo parked outside, but got distracted when we discovered another stucture which seems to house South Korea's entire vintage air reserve, including a very poorly-camouflaged B52.

Ok, I might me missing the point, but what's that fuss all about? I cannot believe that South Korea thinks that Google Earth is North Korea's only way to get a look at its military bases. They probably have people working there (and vice versa).