Resident stacking jangdokdae in hallway... "Bugs swarm" neighbor complaints met with more anger

A story has been shared about residents suffering headaches due to bicycles, boxes, and even jangdokdae (traditional Korean earthenware pots) being piled up in apartment hallways, sparking controversy.

Jangdokdae piled up in the apartment corridor.
[Photo by Online Community]

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On the 4th, a post titled "Residents stacking belongings in the hallway" was uploaded to an online community. The author, Mr. A, who revealed that he lives in an apartment in Sejong, began by saying, "The apartment's shared hallway space is treated like their own bedroom, displaying all sorts of clutter and dirty items."

Items carelessly piled up in the apartment hallway.
[Photo by Online Community]

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Photos shared by Mr. A show bicycles, shopping carts, laundry racks, flowerpots, jangdokdae, and boxes scattered messily in the apartment hallway. Red chili peppers can be seen drying on top of the boxes.

Mr. A complained, "They even leave jangdokdae, which should only be used inside their own homes, abandoned in front of the elevator for months. In summer, the area is filled with a terrible smell and swarms of flies and mosquitoes." He continued, "After receiving complaints from other residents, the management office staff posted a warning notice in the hallway asking to remove the items, but the resident who saw the notice went to the management office and caused a disturbance."

At that time, the resident reportedly visited the management office, saying, "I am the one who stacked my belongings and jangdokdae in the hallway, so who put up this warning notice?" and struck the security desk with his fist. He also threatened, "I'm so angry that I will destroy all the jangdokdae in the hallway."

Mr. A said, "Because of this resident's behavior and disturbance, I feel as if a ghost might appear every time I pass through the dirty hallway," and asked for advice, "I don't know how to handle this. Is it legally punishable?"

Netizens who read the story responded with comments such as, "Report it for violating fire safety laws," "I can't believe people like that still exist," "The jangdokdae is really beyond common sense," and "It's shocking how they respond with arrogance."

Meanwhile, the "Act on the Installation and Management of Firefighting Facilities" prohibits stacking items around evacuation facilities, making it illegal to pile belongings in hallways. Since hallways and stairs are considered evacuation routes during a fire, this regulation prevents obstacles that could hinder firefighting activities. Violators may be fined up to 3 million KRW under the fire safety law.

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