Fireworks Festival Embroidering Autumn Nights... Residents Are 'Distressed'

Residents Complaining of Living Noise Distress
Excluded from Noise and Vibration Control Act Regulations

As the cool autumn breeze blows, festivals are being held across the country, but the number of residents complaining about noise-related distress is increasing. Experts point out the limitations of the current law, which leaves noise regulation of local festivals solely to the autonomous control of local governments, and advise that related measures need to be strengthened.

The Seoul International Fireworks Festival is being held at the Han River in 2023.
[Photo by Hanwha]

According to the Korea Tourism Organization on the 4th, about 350 events, including the Seoul Fireworks Festival, the largest festival in the country, are scheduled to be held this weekend (October 5-6), which coincides with the bridge holiday. Nearly 140 local festivals were held nationwide last weekend (September 28-29), when the weather became truly cool. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, local festivals nationwide peaked in the first week of this month and are showing a gradual decline until the end of the month.

As various festivals bustle, nearby residents are defenselessly exposed to everyday noises such as fireworks and music. While the current Noise and Vibration Control Act regulates noise sources such as loudspeakers, construction sites, and factories, noise caused by local festivals is left to the autonomous regulation of local governments. According to the standards for regulating everyday noise, when loudspeakers are installed outdoors, noise levels in residential areas must be maintained below 60 dB during morning and evening hours, and noise levels in residential areas near factories must be kept below 50 dB during the same hours. Exceeding these limits may result in fines of up to 2 million won.

On the other hand, noise generated by local festivals is entrusted to the autonomous efforts of local governments, such as the mayor establishing a management plan before the festival is held. Local governments can specially designate mobile noise regulation areas during the festival period and prohibit the use of noise sources or restrict their usage times, but since this is voluntary regulation, it is often not observed on site. Noise and vibration complaints in Seoul have also increased from 52,868 cases in 2019 to 63,452 cases last year over the past five years.

An official from the Ministry of Environment said, "We distribute guidelines for managing noise sources occurring in public places to local governments and receive plans to reduce festival noise to check in advance," but added, "The guidelines are only recommendations and not mandatory, so we do not monitor noise levels on site or verify whether noise regulations are actually being enforced."

Experts advise that, even considering the characteristics of local festivals, more thorough investigations and measures regarding the impact on nearby residents are necessary. Cha Sang-gon, director of the Residential Culture Improvement Research Institute, said, "Noise regulation of local festivals is left to local governments' autonomous control due to concerns that strict regulation might harm local businesses. However, there are studies showing that if loud noises from local festivals occur briefly and repeatedly, they can cause stress and hearing loss similar to aircraft noise, so urgent measures are needed." Director Cha emphasized, "It is necessary to devise various alternatives, such as supporting local residents to install soundproof windows during the festival period or providing accommodation vouchers so they can take short trips."

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