SEOUL, Aug 8 (Reuters) - South Korea delayed a decision

on Friday on Google's request for permission to export map

data, following U.S. pressure to address what Washington regards

as a non-tariff barrier during recent trade talks, its transport

ministry said.

The move comes as South Korea and the United States are

preparing for a summit of their leaders, possibly this month,

after reaching a trade deal in late July.

South Korea previously rejected a request from Google, whose

parent is Alphabet, for permission to use map data on

servers outside the country in 2016 and 2007, citing security

concerns.

South Korea, whose 1950-53 war with North Korea ended

without a peace treaty, argues that if it allowed such data to

leave the country, the locations of military facilities and

other sensitive sites could be revealed.

But the U.S. said restrictions on cross-border data flows

have long served as a barrier to operating navigation services

through Google Maps and Apple Maps, resulting in U.S. companies

losing out in the South Korean market.

South Korea did not make concessions on the map issue and

also on further opening up agriculture despite early and intense

bilateral talks, presidential adviser Kim Yong-beom had said.

It was not clear whether the issues will be discussed at the

upcoming summit.