Dealing with inter-floor noise
Confronting a neighbour directly over noise turns into a serious fight. Always go through a third party.
The order to follow
- Tell the management office. They pass it on to the other household.
- Consult the Inter-floor Noise Neighbour Centre — 1661-2642. Free consultation and on-site assessment.
- Environmental Dispute Resolution Commission — you can apply for mediation.
- Legal action — a last resort.
What not to do
- Do not knock on the door above or below. This often escalates into assault.
- Do not make retaliatory noise. You become the offender.
- Do not post threatening notes. They are used as evidence against you.
Keep a record
- When, how long, and what kind of sound — write down dates and times.
- A noise measurement app log helps.
- Keep the record of your report to the management office.
Where to go
- Your apartment's management office (first)
- 1661-2642 Inter-floor Noise Neighbour Centre
- National Noise Information System www.noiseinfo.or.kr
- 112 if you feel threatened
- 1577-1366 · 1345 interpretation
Questions people ask
It's so loud at night I can't sleep. File a night-noise report with the management office. If you feel threatened, call 112.
Someone complained about my noise. Don't respond emotionally — say what you can do, such as laying mats or adjusting the hours. If you have children, explain that too.
A neighbour is banging on my door and threatening me. Call 112. Even in a noise dispute, threats and assault are separate crimes.
I feel I'm being dismissed because I'm a foreigner. File formally through the management office and keep records. Use 1577-1366 interpretation alongside.
Take care
Noise disputes have led to serious injury and even killings. Never confront the other party directly. If someone comes to your door and threatens you, do not open it — call 112.
Related
apartment-rules · assault-report · police-report-how
Source
Ministry of Environment, Inter-floor Noise Neighbour Centre www.noiseinfo.or.kr / As of 2026-08