Jo Incheol: "Inter-floor Noise Protection for Officetels and Studio Apartments Too"

Proposed Amendments to the Noise and Vibration Control Act and Aggregate Buildings Act
"Including Non-Apartment Buildings in Inter-Floor Noise Regulation and Mediation"

Jo Incheol, member of the Democratic Party of Korea,

Jo Incheol, a lawmaker of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Gwangju Seo-gu Gap, announced on August 10 that he has submitted as the lead sponsor amendments to the Noise and Vibration Control Act and the Act on Ownership and Management of Aggregate Buildings (hereinafter referred to as the Aggregate Buildings Act) to legally protect residents of non-apartment buildings, such as officetels and studio apartments, from inter-floor noise disturbances.

The core of the proposed amendments is to include noise generated in non-apartment buildings within the current Noise and Vibration Control Act’s definition of “inter-floor noise.” In addition, the amendment to the Aggregate Buildings Act would impose an obligation on residents to prevent the generation of inter-floor noise, allow victims to request noise cessation or blocking measures through building managers, and enable them to apply for dispute mediation if the problem persists. Through these measures, the amendments aim to reduce inter-floor noise damage for residents of non-apartment buildings such as officetels and studio apartments, and to clarify the legal basis for resolving disputes when they arise.

According to the Inter-floor Noise Neighbor Center, which operates under the Ministry of Environment, conflicts between neighbors due to inter-floor noise are intensifying, with complaints reaching as many as 30,000 cases annually. The Gwangju Village Dispute Resolution Support Center reported that, among neighbor conflicts received last year, inter-floor noise accounted for 45.9% of all cases, making it the top cause. Such conflicts are becoming increasingly frequent, and some have escalated into serious crimes, highlighting the issue as a growing social problem.

However, current law only regulates inter-floor noise in apartment complexes and multi-unit housing, leaving residents of non-apartment buildings such as officetels and studio apartments unprotected. These residents have also been unable to utilize mediation procedures, placing them in a legal blind spot. In particular, since non-apartment buildings have a high proportion of single-person households and young people?groups considered vulnerable in terms of housing?there is an urgent need to establish legal mechanisms to protect them.

Jo Incheol stated, “Until now, residents of officetels and studio apartments have had no proper protection against inter-floor noise and have thus suffered a double hardship,” adding, “With these amendments, we aim to reduce conflicts between neighbors and create a society where everyone can live in a safe and pleasant residential environment.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.