층간소음범죄의 실태와 특성분석

Abstract

This study was conducted to explore the realities and characteristics of various crimes caused by conflicts over inter-floor noise and to provide academic baseline data, as well as to seek countermeasures for criminal justice agencies and public institutions. To achieve this, 734 criminal judgments related to crimes induced by inter-floor noise disputes over the past 10 years (2013-2022) were extracted and statistically analyzed. The analysis revealed an average of 73 cases of inter-floor noise crimes per year, with the highest rate of cases being concluded with fines. Approximately half of the crimes occurred in the metropolitan areas, such as Seoul and Gyeonggi, with the majority being violent crimes; however, one in ten cases was found to be a serious crime, such as murder. Most crimes were committed impulsively by the perpetrator visiting the victim's residence during ongoing inter-floor noise conflicts between upper and lower floors in multi-family dwellings such as apartments. The most common victims were women in their 30s and 40s. The most frequent scenario involved the perpetrator immediately attacking the victim with a deadly weapon, such as a knife, upon encounter. About one-third of these cases involved harm to two or more people, including family members.Based on these findings, the study suggests the necessity for early intervention by public institutions to prevent inter-floor noise crimes, the establishment of a new 112 emergency report code for systematic police response, and the amendment and enactment of laws for criminal justice intervention in noise disputes. Lastly, the significance and limitations of this study are discussed.