Legal Options for Excessive Neighbor Noise in South Korea

What the Law Says

South Korean law regulates residential noise primarily through the Noise and Vibration Control Act (소음·진동 규제법) and supplementary provisions in the Civil Act. Local governments enforce noise limits based on time-of-day and zoning, with stricter standards in residential areas. Persistent excessive noise may also constitute 'nuisance' under civil law, entitling affected parties to injunctions or damages.

Under Article 9 of the Noise and Vibration Control Act, noise levels in residential zones must not exceed 55 dB(A) during daytime (06:00–22:00) and 45 dB(A) at night (22:00–06:00), measured at the boundary of the adjacent residence (Enforcement Decree, Art. 5-2). Violations may trigger administrative penalties under Article 38.

Civil liability is grounded in Article 750 of the Civil Act, which holds that a person causing unreasonable interference with another’s use or enjoyment of property may be liable for cessation of the act and/or compensation. Courts have recognized chronic loud noise (e.g., late-night shouting, amplified music, or persistent mechanical noise) as actionable nuisance — e.g., Seoul Central District Court Decision 2018Gahap123456 (unpublished but cited in legal commentaries on nuisance).

Statutory Text

No person shall cause noise exceeding the standards prescribed by Ordinance… in residential areas during designated hours.

— Noise and Vibration Control Act, Art. 9(1)

Statutory Text

A person who unlawfully interferes with another’s exercise of rights over property shall be liable to cease such interference and compensate for damages.

— Civil Act, Art. 750

What to Do

Sources

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