The National Assembly is pushing for a measure that would impose a fine of 10 million won on residents who verbally abuse, physically assault, or insult security guards managing apartments and other multi-unit dwellings. It aims to amend the Multi-Unit Housing Management Act to regulate these behaviors, as security guards cannot be left unprotected from various forms of verbal abuse, physical assault, and insult from residents.
According to the National Assembly's Land Infrastructure and Transport Committee, on the 8th, 12 people, including Park Sang-hyuk of the Democratic Party of Korea, proposed the 'partial amendment bill to the Multi-Unit Housing Management Act.' Regarding the rationale for proposing the bill, Park and others noted, "Despite the continued occurrence of verbal abuse and physical assaults against security guards by residents, there are no provisions prohibiting such actions, and there is a lack of regulatory measures against violations of duty related to workers such as apartment managers and security guards, which reduces the effectiveness of the regulations."
The amendment adds types of prohibited acts to prevent security guards and other multi-unit housing management workers from engaging in behaviors that cause physical and mental pain, or from perpetrating harassment that deteriorates the work environment. To ensure the effectiveness of the regulations, it also stipulates that fines of up to 10 million won be imposed on those committing prohibited acts against workers, including apartment managers and security guards. Previously, in June of last year, 18 people, including Lee Yeon-hee of the Democratic Party of Korea, proposed a similar partial amendment to the Multi-Unit Housing Management Act. A National Assembly official said, "Many members understand the intent of the bill, and since it is similar to previous bills, it is expected that the Land Infrastructure and Transport Committee will discuss it in conjunction."
The reason for creating such legislation in the National Assembly is the ongoing verbal abuse and physical assaults against apartment security guards. In October 2014, a security guard surnamed Lee (then 53 years old) working at the Shin Hyun-dae Apartment in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, could not endure the verbal abuse and insults from resident A and tragically committed self-immolation in the apartment parking lot (on November 7). In May 2020, a security guard surnamed Choi at the Seongwon Apartment in Uidong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul also made a drastic choice for similar reasons.
In 2023, a person in their 20s received a suspended prison sentence in the first trial for repeatedly assaulting and insulting security guards in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and in May of this year, a security guard was assaulted by a resident at an apartment in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, resulting in broken teeth.
Kim Soo-hee, an attorney at the law firm Ansim, said, "The reason for introducing such regulations is that residents have not adequately made efforts to protect security guards and others. To achieve practical effects in line with the legislative intent, we must also consider concrete methods to detect, report, and impose fines for such acts."
Kuk Ko-eun, a lawyer at the law firm YK (YK), also stated, "While the government and local governments have been amending enforcement ordinances to prevent harassment and violence against security guards, the lack of enforceability has limited effectiveness. If the amendment passes, it will formally enshrine the prohibition against verbal abuse and physical assault of security guards in law, protecting the rights of workers including security guards and promoting a culture of mutual respect."