Apple improves iPhone's emergency location-sharing service for S. Korean users | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK By Kang Yoon-seung SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- U.S. tech giant Apple Inc. has improved an emergency location-sharing feature on iPhones for South Korean users at the request of the Seoul government, officials said Wednesday. The agreement was reached after a series of meetings among the KMCC, Apple, the National Police Agency, the National Fire Agency and the Korea Internet & Security Agency. "Samsung Electronics smartphones do not have such limitations as they operate based on a different mechanism," a KMCC official said, noting Apple decided to offer the extension especially for South Korean users. "We welcome Apple's decision and will continue to work with global companies and related organizations to improve the quality of location-sharing services to better protect people's lives and safety," KMCC Chair Kim Jong-cheol said in a release. Visitors test iPhones at an Apple retail store in central Seoul, in this file photo taken Sept. 19, 2025. (Yonhap) colin@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Media watchdog launches probe on Instagram's deactivation of accounts in 2025 Media watchdog asks X to set up minor protection measures for AI chatbot Grok New media watchdog chief vows stern response to fake news, digital sex crimes Keywords #KMCC #Apple #iPhone Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Lee urges bold measures to cope with concerns about energy situation, including emergency economic decree if needed (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S. Korea Tass news agency's delegation in Pyongyang Tass news agency's delegation in Pyongyang prev Apple improves iPhone's emergency location-sharing service for S.

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By Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- U.S. tech giant Apple Inc. has improved an emergency location-sharing feature on iPhones for South Korean users at the request of the Seoul government, officials said Wednesday.
The expansion of the service's duration, from the previous five minutes to 30 minutes, came at the request of the Korea Media and Communications Commission (KMCC) to better help emergency responders to accurately identify the locations of iPhone users in need of emergency assistance.
The agreement was reached after a series of meetings among the KMCC, Apple, the National Police Agency, the National Fire Agency and the Korea Internet & Security Agency.
"Samsung Electronics smartphones do not have such limitations as they operate based on a different mechanism," a KMCC official said, noting Apple decided to offer the extension especially for South Korean users.
"We welcome Apple's decision and will continue to work with global companies and related organizations to improve the quality of location-sharing services to better protect people's lives and safety," KMCC Chair Kim Jong-cheol said in a release.
Visitors test iPhones at an Apple retail store in central Seoul, in this file photo taken Sept. 19, 2025. (Yonhap)
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)
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Apple improves iPhone's emergency location-sharing service for S. Korean users

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Korea's strong backlash against growing S.

### Areas for Consideration
- Visitors test iPhones at an Apple retail store in central Seoul, in this file photo taken Sept. 19, 2025. (Yonhap) colin@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Media watchdog launches probe on Instagram's deactivation of accounts in 2025 Media watchdog asks X to set up minor protection measures for AI chatbot Grok New media watchdog chief vows stern response to fake news, digital sex crimes Keywords #KMCC #Apple #iPhone Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Lee urges bold measures to cope with concerns about energy situation, including emergency economic decree if needed (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.

### Implications
- The agreement was reached after a series of meetings among the KMCC, Apple, the National Police Agency, the National Fire Agency and the Korea Internet & Security Agency. "Samsung Electronics smartphones do not have such limitations as they operate based on a different mechanism," a KMCC official said, noting Apple decided to offer the extension especially for South Korean users. "We welcome Apple's decision and will continue to work with global companies and related organizations to improve the quality of location-sharing services to better protect people's lives and safety," KMCC Chair Kim Jong-cheol said in a release.
- Visitors test iPhones at an Apple retail store in central Seoul, in this file photo taken Sept. 19, 2025. (Yonhap) colin@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Media watchdog launches probe on Instagram's deactivation of accounts in 2025 Media watchdog asks X to set up minor protection measures for AI chatbot Grok New media watchdog chief vows stern response to fake news, digital sex crimes Keywords #KMCC #Apple #iPhone Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Lee urges bold measures to cope with concerns about energy situation, including emergency economic decree if needed (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.
- Korean Air to enter emergency management mode over soaring fuel costs Gov't proposes 26.2 tln-won extra budget to cushion impact of Middle East tensions Declassified documents show N.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers apple, emergency, agency topics. Notable strengths include discussion of apple. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 509.