Gwangju Environmental Dispute Mediation Committee Recognizes Noise Damage from Redevelopment Apartment Construction

Official Compensation Decision of Over 17 Million KRW for 43 Individuals Affected by Construction Noise

Gwangju City Hall

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 19th that the Gwangju Regional Environmental Dispute Mediation Committee decided to compensate approximately 17 million KRW for damages caused by noise, vibration, and dust during the construction of redevelopment apartments.

The Gwangju Regional Environmental Dispute Mediation Committee ruled on a case where 50 commercial residents living and operating businesses in Dong-gu (applicants) demanded 99 million KRW in compensation from the construction company (respondent) for severe mental distress caused by noise, vibration, and dust generated from demolition work of existing houses and excavation work related to the nearby redevelopment apartment construction.

After investigating and reviewing the case, the committee evaluated the noise level caused by construction equipment based on the equipment usage details submitted by the respondent, the distance between sites, and the soundproof walls installed on-site. The maximum noise level was found to be 70dB(A) (allowable limit 65dB(A)), exceeding the noise damage recognition standard, and it was acknowledged that the applicants likely suffered mental damage beyond socially acceptable limits.

However, the maximum vibration level caused by the construction equipment was 57dB(V), which is within the allowable limit of 65dB(V), so the committee did not recognize the likelihood of damage to the applicants from vibration.

Accordingly, the Gwangju Environmental Dispute Mediation Committee recognized mental damages for 43 applicants based on their residence period and degree of noise damage, and ordered the construction company to compensate each applicant between 302,000 and 432,000 KRW.

Song Yong-su, head of the Environmental Policy Division of the city, stated, “Any citizen suffering physical or property damage due to environmental pollution such as air, water, or noise in the region can apply for environmental dispute mediation. Gwangju City will actively operate the environmental dispute mediation system to promptly resolve citizens’ rights issues caused by environmental disputes and will do its best to improve citizens’ quality of life and help resolve social conflicts.”