Enforcement Decree Amendment of the Gipsy Act Introducing 'Maximum Noise Level' to Take Effect on the 2nd of Next Month

Change of Noise Standard to 55dB in Residential Areas During Late Night Hours

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwanju] Noise standards applied to gatherings in residential areas during late-night hours will be strengthened. In addition to the existing '10-minute average' noise measurement, the 'maximum noise' standard will also be applied.

The National Police Agency announced on the 18th that the revised "Enforcement Decree of the Assembly and Demonstration Act (Jipsibeop)" with these contents will be enforced from the 2nd of next month. First, the noise standard for assemblies near residential areas, schools, and general hospitals from midnight to 7 a.m. will be strengthened from the current 60 dB to 55 dB. Last year, there were a total of 40,801 nationwide 112 reports related to assembly noise. Among them, the police explained that there were many complaints requesting protection of the peace zone, sleep rights, rest rights, and learning rights, especially during dawn and late-night hours. The newly changed 55 dB corresponds to the noise level of an 'office,' which is the late-night residential noise standard specifically recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Environment Agency (EEA).

The 'maximum noise level' standard will also be introduced. When the existing equivalent noise level (10-minute average noise value) standard was applied, assembly organizers often repeated high noise but adjusted it so that only the average value was not exceeded. Therefore, the police decided to use the highest noise value generated during each measurement as the standard. This will be applied when the standard is exceeded three or more times within one hour at the same assembly or demonstration.

The maximum noise level standards for residential areas, schools, and general hospitals are 85 dB during the daytime (7 a.m. to before sunset), 80 dB during the evening (after sunset to midnight), and 75 dB during late night (midnight to 7 a.m.). The police chief can order 'noise maintenance' or 'cessation of use of loudspeakers, etc.,' and violation of this order or refusal/interference with necessary measures will be subject to imprisonment of up to six months or a fine, detention, or penalty not exceeding 500,000 KRW. In particular, since the maximum noise level applies not only to reported and unreported assemblies but also to gatherings related to academic, artistic, athletic, and religious events that do not require reporting, caution is required. A police official said, "We will strive to realize the legislative purpose of balancing the right to assembly and demonstration with public peace and order, and if there are areas for improvement during the enforcement process, we will supplement them."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.