Protest rallies remain to be noisy at night despite noise control

Tuesday marks the first anniversary after standards on noise from protest rallies were reinforced due to revision to executive ordinances under the Assembly and Protest Act. However, noise at the site of protest rallies has not decreased, and remains the same as before, a report showed.

According to a report on the "achievement after revision to executive ordinances under the Assembly and Protest Act to strengthen standards on noise level," the average noise level at protest rallies in the first half of this year reached 68.9 dB, down 1.4 dB from 70.3 dB, which was the average before reinforcement of the standards. However, experts say that “A 1.4-dB reduction in noise level is not the level of noise ordinary citizens can even sense.”

The average noise level at nighttime protest rallies, which are believed to cause inconveniences to citizens amounted to 66.8 dB at plazas and commercial districts(permissible level 65 dB), and 60.8 dB in residential areas and school areas(permissible level 60 dB), which exceed the permissible levels despite strengthened noise standards. Noise levels at plazas and commercial districts during daytime edged down from 71.5 dB to 69.7 dB (75 dB), and that in residential areas fell from 63.6 dB to 63.3 dB (permissible 65 dB).

Revised executive ordinances took effect on Oct. 22, 2014. The permissible level of noise at commercial districts and plazas including Seoul Square and Gwanghwamun Square where protest rallies frequently take place declined 5 dB each from 80 dB during daytime and 70 dB during night time, respectively. Noise levels at residential areas and school zones did not change at 65 dB daytime, and 60dB night time, but areas near general hospitals and public libraries have been added to facilities that are subject to noise control.