This illustration shows an example of a noise dispute between two families. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, June 23 (Korea Bizwire) — Disputes over noise between apartments have increased in number following increased indoor activity in the pandemic era, a civic group said Wednesday.
The Citizens’ Coalition for Economic Justice (CCEJ) studied reports published by the Ministry of Environment and reported that the number of noise complaints doubled from 26,257 cases in 2019 to 46,596 cases in 2021.
Noise complaints between apartments have been on the rise each year since 2015, and increased indoor activities like working or studying from home in the pandemic era have sped up the increase.
“Disputes over noise between apartments are resulting in violence and murder, rising as a serious social issue,” the CCEJ said.
The civic group called for the introduction of mandatory checks on noise when building new apartment buildings, stronger penal measures for exceeding levels of apartment noise and the Rahmen-type construction design.
The civic group emphasized the need to notify residents of the noise levels in apartment buildings.
“Rahmen-type design inserts a separate frame between floors, widening the gap between floors. While it may lower apartment sales, the vibration coming from the ceiling is dispersed throughout the frame, minimizing noise,” the CCEJ said.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
