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'Pokémon GO' Can Be Played In Korea, A Country Where It Shouldn't Be Possible

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They say, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Well, in the last two days, a group of enterprising young Koreans have found a way to play Pokémon GO in a country where it should not be possible.

According to an article in Japan’s Sankei Newspaper, South Korean game diehards have employed what could be considered guerrilla tactics to get Pokémon GO off the ground and playable. In the past day, Korean media has reported that hundreds of gamers have flocked to isolated towns in the country’s far north-east region such as Sokcho, and even the remote Ulleung-do Island in the Japan Sea to exploit a loophole in supposedly banned access to Google maps and satellites.

A Korean media source explains that the government operates a global positioning satellite (GPS) system whose data should be impossible to capture and use outside of Korea. But for some unexplained reason, Korean gamers have found a way to access the Google maps.

Only yesterday, I reported that Pokémon GO co-developer, Niantic CEO John Hanke, said that Korea would be a difficult place to get the game online due to security issues regarding North Korea. What Hanke was referring to is the South Korean government’s insistence that to protect its national security, the country forbids companies like Google taking Korean map data across borders.

The reason is not clear, but one theory is the Korean government was not happy that Google supplies users with access to map data inside the controversial 38th Parallel north demilitarized zone (DMZ) that marks the border between North and South Korea.

One other thing that is unclear is why the north-east region of the country is Pokémon GO-friendly where as that rest of Korea is not.

Reaping the rewards of this rare and unexpected access to Google and critical map data, Korean gamers are braving long trips and overnight stays to reach Pokémon GO compatible towns such as Sokcho in the far north-east.

Reports from the region say that youngsters are playing the game till the early hours each night, while on the flip side, local restaurants and businesses are hoping for a boost in sales. Meanwhile, as parents around the world are lamenting, the Pokémon GO craze is starting to affect kid’s sleep cycles and homework. But as one Korean kid said, “we are getting more exercise now.”