Seoul will strengthen noise regulations at construction sites and workplaces to reduce noise pollution, officials said Wednesday.
The move came after the number of noise complaints increased 45.3 percent to 23,396 last year from 15,922 in 2009. Officials said they aim to reduce such complaints by 40 percent from the current level by 2014 through the toughened regulations.
For large construction sites over 1,000 square meters, builders will be required to establish sound-proof walls and set up double-layered soundproofing insulation when doing digging or blasting work, officials said. Construction companies working on public projects will also have to use low-noise equipment, they said.
The city also plans to use vehicles equipped with sound level meters to measure noise at construction sites that are subject to repeated complaints, and conduct regular checks on supermarkets that use loudspeakers to attract customers, officials said. (Yonhap)