"Complaints of Damage from Cigarette Butts Thrown from Upstairs for 8 Years, Even Holes in Laundry"

Installation of CCTV Due to Fire Risk
Perpetrating Household Not Specifically Identified

A resident of an apartment in Cheonan, Chungnam, complained of suffering due to cigarette butts and other trash thrown from the upstairs unit.

A story has been reported about damage caused by cigarette butts and other trash being thrown out the window from an apartment upstairs in Cheonan-si, Chungnam, for eight years. The photo shows a lit cigarette butt falling from the upper floor. Photo by JTBC, captured from 'Sageon Banjang'.

On the 29th, JTBC's 'Incident Commander' reported the story of informant A, who has been tormented for 8 years by cigarette butts and other trash being thrown from the upstairs unit. A is a resident on the 3rd floor of a mixed-use apartment in Cheonan, Chungnam. He stated, "The resident living upstairs has been throwing all kinds of trash such as cigarette butts, beverage cans, and paper cups out the window for 8 years," adding, "Recently, a lit cigarette butt fell onto the blankets hung out to dry on the terrace and even caused a fire." He also mentioned that the neighbor who grows plants next door is constantly worried about a potential fire.

A story has been reported about damage caused by cigarette butts and other trash being thrown out the window for eight years from an apartment upstairs in Cheonan-si, Chungnam. A lit cigarette butt falling from the upstairs. Captured from JTBC's "Sageon Banjang" (Incident Commander).

After seeing that a cigarette butt had fallen onto the blankets and burned them, A said he felt the seriousness of the situation and even installed a closed-circuit television (CCTV). Through the CCTV footage, A confirmed that lit cigarette butts were falling from the upstairs unit without being extinguished. The video A released showed cigarette butts sparking as they fell down at night, bouncing once off an awning before landing on the terrace. Despite these efforts, A has not been able to identify which floor is responsible for the illegal dumping of trash.

He said, "I asked the management office to find out which unit was responsible, but the only measures taken were announcements and posting warning notices," expressing, "I'm very distressed because of this 'cigarette butt terror' and don't know what to do."

Attorney Park Ji-hoon, who heard this story, said, "Legally, there is a possibility of violating the Minor Offenses Act," but added, "However, since the fine is not very high, it is uncertain whether this will resolve the issue." He also mentioned, "Still, since there is CCTV, reporting it is one possible method."

In fact, because apartments are shared spaces for many people, it is known to be difficult for administrative agencies to crack down on such behavior. Even if complaints are filed with the management office, there is no enforcement power. Even if the culprit is identified, only advisory notices and publicity are possible.

According to the Minor Offenses Act, if caught throwing cigarette butts, tissues, gum, etc., a fine of 50,000 won may be imposed. If property is damaged due to the throwing, the offender may be punished for property damage.