On August 10, the Seoul Metropolitan Government issued a statement that a legal ordinance to regulate noise nuisances in residential complexes will be passed into law by the end of this month. (Image: Yonhapnews TV)
SEOUL, Aug. 11 (Korea Bizwire) — As seen from the news that authorities are moving to crack down on indoor smoking, the government has been taking pains to resolve neighborly disputes.
On August 10, the Seoul Metropolitan Government issued a statement that a legal ordinance to regulate noise nuisances in residential complexes will be passed into law by the end of this month.
The ordinance calls for a multi-pronged approach to peacefully resolve noise nuisance disputes, which have become a growing concern in South Korean society in recent years. Aspects of the ordinance include the need for a strategic plan to deal with said disputes, the formation of neighborhood groups that can directly resolve confrontations between residents, a “conflict resolution committee” formed under the direct supervision of the city government, and an initiative to better educate the general populace on relevant information.
A spokesperson for the city spoke in greater detail about the government’s intent regarding the ordinance: “By revising the existing laws [the government] is attempting to solve the problem of noise disputes in a more systematic manner. The revised law will now extend to officetels (studio apartments), stand-alone homes and mixed-use buildings that were not covered under the existing legislation.”
As part of the new law, the mayor will be required to draw up a blueprint on how to manage incidences of confrontation between residents that arise from noise nuisances. To ensure that the mayor’s plans will be as effective as possible, the law will give the mayor the authority to conduct fact-checking investigations.
Residents of mixed-use buildings and officetels will now be able to form committees devoted to resolving noise nuisance issues. To propel the measure forward, the city intends to provide support through funding and training to residents of these buildings.
Inhabitants of complexes like apartments and townhouses may call on the city government’s official “conflict resolution committee” to intervene if conflicts cannot be resolved at the local level.
The city is aiming for the ordinance to go into full effect this coming January. (Image: Yonhapnews TV)
The committee members will include retired employees, pet trainers, mental health professionals and experts from various sectors.
The city is aiming for the ordinance to go into full effect this coming January.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
