Large Construction Companies Building Apartments in Daegu Downtown Ignore Noise Meter Installation Despite Administrative Sanctions

6-Month Dispute with Nearby Residents at Suseong 4-ga Apartment Construction Site
Despite Noise Regulation Exceedance, Only 'Portable' Meters Insisted Upon

On the morning of the 14th, residents near the S Construction apartment complex construction site in Suseong 4-ga, Suseong-gu, held a rally demanding measures against noise and flying dust. [Provided by residents]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] A major construction company carrying out a large-scale apartment project in downtown Daegu is aggravating residents' distrust by continuing construction without installing a 'permanent noise monitor,' despite repeated administrative sanctions from the local district office for exceeding noise regulation standards.

On the 27th, at the construction site of the S Construction apartment complex in Suseong 4-ga, Suseong-gu, Daegu, there was no sign of any noise monitoring devices installed anywhere.

While it is common for public housing contractors to install noise monitors along with sound barriers throughout the site to prevent noise and dust conflicts with nearby residents, this site insists on using only handheld noise meters operated by staff as needed.

Residents claim this is related to ongoing protests demanding measures against dust and noise that have continued for more than six months since construction began in February. They say it is a loophole to avoid exposing noise levels that exceed the standards set by the Noise and Vibration Control Act.

The relevant law sets the noise regulation standards for construction sites at 65db (decibels) in residential areas and 70db or higher in commercial districts.

At this construction site, the Suseong District Office, which has conducted noise measurements on-site following complaints, reportedly found noise levels exceeding 65db, resulting in two administrative sanctions.

Residents of Suseong Daerim e-Pyeonhansesang Apartments and nearby houses complain of cracked walls in their shops and suffering from depression caused by stress, but the contractor remains indifferent.

On the morning of the 14th, a protest rally at the construction site led to a clash between about 30 residents and construction officials, causing police to intervene.

Recently, as the contractor began compensating some residents, conflicts and secondary damages such as discord among local residents over their relationship with the contractor have reportedly emerged.

The contractor emphasized in a written response to reporters, "From the beginning of the construction, we have been measuring noise around the site using portable devices and are managing it continuously."