Cheon Ha-ram, floor leader of the Reform Party, delivers opening remarks at a luncheon hosted by President Lee Jae-myung for lawmakers from non-negotiating parties and independents at Cheong Wa Dae on April 29. [Photo=Yonhap]
Cheon Ha-ram, floor leader of the Reform Party, said Monday he has introduced amendments to the Noise and Vibration Control Act and the Minor Offenses Act that would, in principle, exclude sounds generated during child care, education and play from being treated as regulated noise.
Cheon said the bills would exempt sounds from activities at day care centers, kindergartens, schools and children’s playgrounds from the scope of noise under the current Noise and Vibration Control Act and from “nearby disturbance” provisions under the Minor Offenses Act.
“Children’s voices are not noise,” Cheon said. “Schools should not repeatedly end up closing their playgrounds because they feel pressured by complaints and reports.” He said lawmakers from five parties agreed to pursue legal safeguards so children can “run and laugh freely” on Children’s Day.
Cheon previously released analysis saying there were 350 reports to the 112 emergency line related to school sports days in 2025, and that 345 of those led to police being dispatched.
He also raised the issue during a National Assembly question-and-answer session last month on education, social and cultural affairs, pressing Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, Interior and Safety Minister Yoon Ho-jung and Education Minister Choi Gyo-jin about noise complaints at schools and the need for outdoor activities for children and teenagers.
At the time, Cheon said a small number of people who file excessive complaints were depriving children of the right to play. He questioned whether it was appropriate for police patrol cars to be sent to schools when noise-related reports are filed during sports days.
Cheon said the bills would exempt sounds from activities at day care centers, kindergartens, schools and children’s playgrounds from the scope of noise under the current Noise and Vibration Control Act and from “nearby disturbance” provisions under the Minor Offenses Act.
“Children’s voices are not noise,” Cheon said. “Schools should not repeatedly end up closing their playgrounds because they feel pressured by complaints and reports.” He said lawmakers from five parties agreed to pursue legal safeguards so children can “run and laugh freely” on Children’s Day.
Cheon previously released analysis saying there were 350 reports to the 112 emergency line related to school sports days in 2025, and that 345 of those led to police being dispatched.
He also raised the issue during a National Assembly question-and-answer session last month on education, social and cultural affairs, pressing Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, Interior and Safety Minister Yoon Ho-jung and Education Minister Choi Gyo-jin about noise complaints at schools and the need for outdoor activities for children and teenagers.
At the time, Cheon said a small number of people who file excessive complaints were depriving children of the right to play. He questioned whether it was appropriate for police patrol cars to be sent to schools when noise-related reports are filed during sports days.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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