Interfloor Noise Conflicts, Now Addressed by Law... National Assembly Discusses 'Integrated Management Act' [Real Estate A to Z]

CCEJ: "Noise Between Floors Is a Construction and Institutional Issue, Legislation Is Essential"
Experts: "Measures for Existing Apartments and Autonomous Mediation Must Go Hand in Hand"
Ministry of Land: "Implementing Post-Completion Verification, Noise Reduction Technologies, and Mandatory Supplementary Construction"

As conflicts over noise between floors escalate into serious crimes such as murder and arson, a National Assembly forum was held to discuss the enactment of the "Interfloor Noise Management Act for Shared Residential Facilities," which approaches the issue not as a personal dispute, but as a matter of construction practices and institutional systems.

National Assembly Forum for the Enactment of the "Interfloor Noise Management Act for Communal Housing Facilities." Youngah Kim, Director at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (third from the left), and others attended. Photo by Yonggap Park's Office.

The forum, co-hosted on September 26 by Assemblyman Yonggap Park of the Democratic Party of Korea and the Center for Urban Reform at the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice, brought together diverse opinions on the legislative necessity for a fundamental solution to the problem of noise between floors.

Youngmin Park, Director at the Center for Urban Reform at the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice, who delivered the keynote presentation, stated, "Noise between floors is a social problem caused by poor construction, inadequate quality control, and ineffective standards." He argued, "To resolve this, it is essential to establish an integrated law that strengthens noise standards, increases the number of units measured before completion, and mandates the public disclosure of data."

Geonil Joo, Head of the Neighbor Dispute Mediation Center at YMCA, expressed agreement with the intent to unify various scattered regulations into a single law, but added, "There also needs to be discussion on measures for existing apartments and on autonomous mediation systems within resident communities."

On the other hand, there were also calls for caution regarding the effectiveness of an integrated law. Insook Park, Legislative Researcher at the National Assembly Research Service, pointed out, "It is necessary to reconsider defining the various causes of noise between floors under a single law," emphasizing the need for further discussion on the bill's limitations. Eunhyeong Lee, Research Fellow at the Construction Policy Research Institute, also suggested, "A complete survey or rapid institutional strengthening could face significant industry resistance, so a gradual expansion is necessary."

The government responded by explaining its ongoing efforts and addressing the legislative discussions. Jiyoung Won, Director of the Division of Living Environment at the Ministry of Environment, stated that, in addition to legal regulations such as noise measurement and professional psychological counseling, efforts are being made to resolve emotional conflicts. Youngah Kim, Director of the Housing Construction Supply Division at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, "We are doing our best to resolve the issue by implementing a post-completion noise verification system, developing first-grade noise reduction technologies, and proposing legislation to mandate supplementary construction work."