<Anchor>



As the local elections approach, campaign music and speeches are heard all over the streets.

If the sound is too loud, there are laws that can regulate it, but enforcement is not done properly.



For some reason, reporter Kim Min-jun covered it.



<Reporter>



Mr. A, an office worker, is struggling with the local election campaign that starts early in the morning.



[Mr A/Resident resident: I have an over-the-counter baby.

But while I was sleeping in the living room, I heard a (baby) cry in the main room, causing shock.

Do I have to campaign until I make so much noise…

.]



From the 19th to the 25th, when the official campaign for this local election started, 112 reports on election noise were received from across the country, totaling '1,946 cases', or 280 cases per day.



[Mr. B/running a snack shop: Because the amp is too loud, it resonates too much.

I need to communicate with the customer now, but I can't hear it because of that sound...

.]



The law that regulates when the sound of the election campaign is too loud has been in effect since last month and has been applied since this local election.



A provision has been added to the Public Official Election Act that imposes a fine of not more than 10 million won on candidates if the sound level exceeds 150 dB.



However, there has not been a single case of crackdown by the Election Commission.



The problem lies in the noise standards.



I'm at a campaign site in Seoul.



As you can see, it's very noisy.



When we measured it ourselves, it was far below the 150dB standard for enforcement.



It is the same with other campaign sites that do not exceed the standard.



The noise level of fighters taking off and landing is usually 120dB, the vehicle horn is 110dB, and the railroad side is 100dB.



There is a suggestion that a fine will be imposed if the campaign noise exceeds 150dB, but it is a mana rule.



[Jung Kyung-hee / Local residents: I think 150dB is too high a standard...

If it is over 150dB, it is not effective at all (regulation isn't it...)]



An official from the National Election Commission said, "Based on the opinions of experts that the sound pressure level used in performances with about 1,000 people is 150dB, the National Assembly amended the law. I know," he said.



Above all, I want candidates to realize that loudspeaker loudness and voter interest are not directly proportional.



(Video coverage: Kang Dong-cheol, video editing: Jeon Min-gyu, VJ: Noh Jae-min)