Korean news sources are reporting this morning that Apple has entered into a contract with SK M&C to improve its Korean map content and has begun working on it. SK M&C's map contents are utilized on SK Telecom's T-map. Updated November 22, 2012
Apple reportedly has been making improvements to the vector map based on the map data provided by SK M&C. The Korean firm is currently a supplier of the Korean map content to firms such as Google, Yahoo, and Tele Atlas. Apple has decided to receive map data from the Korean firm because of the Korean law that prohibits the transfer of domestic geospatial information to places outside of Korea.
Apple's CEO Tim Cook apologized for Apple's new iOS Maps service not being up to standards. However, being that Apple doesn't properly Beta Test their software or hardware as a matter of policy, issues were bound to eventually arise. While some thought that the maps issue was quite overblown, Tim Cook saw it as an opportunity to fire Scott Forstall, Apple's VP of iPhone software.
Apple's internal politics aside, their move to work with SK Telecom on their Maps issue is a move in the right direction.
Update Nov. 22, 2012: According to a BrightWire report, Asia Today is now reporting that "Apple has reportedly canceled its contract with SK Marketing & Company (M&C) and is looking for a different electronic map business in Korea."
