Gwangmyeong City Takes Action to Resolve Inter-floor Noise Conflicts in New Apartment Complexes

Following 5,000 Households Last Year, 10,000 Move In This Year
Conflict Mediation Simulations and Customized Education for Children

Gwangmyeong City in Gyeonggi Province has taken active measures to address conflicts arising from apartment inter-floor noise. As large-scale redevelopment and reconstruction apartment complexes have opened to about 10,000 households this year, following 5,000 households last year, complaints and resident disputes related to inter-floor noise have been spreading.

A Gwangmyeong city official is conducting education to prevent noise between floors for children in the district. Photo by Gwangmyeong City

On May 7, Gwangmyeong City announced that it would implement various initiatives focused on newly occupied apartments, as concerns about conflicts caused by inter-floor noise are growing. These initiatives include the production of a complaint response guide, education for managers and residents, and campaigns at new apartment complexes.

Last year, approximately 5,000 households moved into three complexes in Gwangmyeong City, and this year, around 10,000 households have either moved in or are about to move into four complexes. In particular, complaints and resident conflicts related to inter-floor noise have continued to surface in each community within these complexes.

The city will first produce a simple guide for residents and managers of multi-family housing on how to respond to inter-floor noise complaints. This guide, presented in a comic format, will outline procedures and methods for resolving conflicts, making it easy and quick for anyone to understand.

The city will also provide detailed information on systems and procedures for mediating conflicts when inter-floor noise occurs. The guide will be distributed in two versions: one for residents, which includes the scope and types of inter-floor noise and how to file complaints; and one for managers, which covers legal standards for inter-floor noise and complaint handling methods.

Conflict mediation capacity-building training will be provided for members of the Inter-floor Noise Management Committee. The training will combine theory with simulation exercises based on real-life cases to help participants mediate conflicts effectively on site.

The city will also conduct inter-floor noise prevention education and training on conflict mediation procedures for residents. In particular, customized education, such as mock trials on inter-floor noise for elementary school students, will help children naturally recognize and prevent inter-floor noise issues.

Gwangmyeong City will operate booths at new apartment complexes to promote inter-floor noise prevention. These booths will offer experience programs tailored to children, such as making inter-floor noise prevention nameplates and attaching "My Pledge for Consideration" wish ribbons. In addition, the city will produce inter-floor noise prevention promotional videos to be shown on elevator TVs in multi-family housing, delivering the message to residents.

Park Seungwon, Mayor of Gwangmyeong City, stated, "Preventing conflicts over inter-floor noise begins with consideration for one's neighbors. We will continue to strengthen inter-floor noise prevention education and support for conflict mediation so that we can foster a culture of mutual consideration and respect in our residential communities."