Daegu court sentences man in 70s to 10 months for knife threat over floor noise
In short
A court in Daegu sentenced a man in his 70s to 10 months in prison for taking a weapon to his upstairs neighbour's home and threatening him over floor noise. Yonhap reported that the man kicked the door and shouted abuse at about 1:30 a.m. on July 23 in Daegu's Nam-gu district, and that he had earlier suspended sentences for similar noise-related offences. The court cited the nature of the offence, the absence of forgiveness from the victim and the fact that it was committed during a suspended sentence, while noting his admission and remorse.
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A man in his 70s was sentenced to 10 months in prison by the Daegu District Court over a weapon threat against his upstairs neighbour in a dispute about floor noise, Yonhap reported. The court's Criminal Division 8, presided over by judge Kim Mi-kyung, announced the sentence on October 6. Kukmin Ilbo and Seoul Shinmun also reported the 10-month sentence in headline form. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to the indictment as recounted by Yonhap, the man was sleeping at his home in Daegu's Nam-gu district at about 1:30 a.m. on July 23 when he woke to noise and concluded that his upstairs neighbour, a man in his 50s, had caused it. He took a weapon to the neighbour's home, kicked the front door several times and shouted abuse. He was charged with special intimidation. [ 2 ]
Yonhap reported that the defendant had also received suspended sentences in 2021 and 2025 for special intimidation and special property damage, including damaging doors, after becoming angry in floor-noise disputes with neighbours. [ 2 ]
In explaining the sentence, judge Kim said the defendant had believed the victim caused floor noise and had taken a dangerous object to the victim's home late at night to threaten him. The court said the nature of the offence and the manner in which it was carried out were poor and that the defendant had not been forgiven by the victim. It added that the crime was committed during a suspended sentence, making his culpability heavy. [ 2 ]
The court also took into account that the defendant admitted the offence, showed remorse and undertook to receive treatment and not reoffend, according to Yonhap. [ 2 ]
Two of the three documents — Kukmin Ilbo and Seoul Shinmun — carried only headlines, so the details of the charge, the incident and the sentencing reasons rest on Yonhap's account. None of the documents say whether the defendant will appeal. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The sentence turns on a repeat offence committed while the defendant was already on probation for earlier noise-related property damage, a point the court called heavy. For readers in densely built apartment areas, it illustrates how floor-noise disputes can escalate into criminal cases and end in prison terms. The documents give no wider figures on such disputes, so the case stands on its own.
Key facts
- A man in his 70s was sentenced to 10 months in prison over a weapon threat against a neighbour in a floor-noise dispute. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The Daegu District Court's Criminal Division 8, presided over by judge Kim Mi-kyung, announced the sentence on October 6, Yonhap reported. [ 2 ]
- The man went to the home of his upstairs neighbour, a man in his 50s, at about 1:30 a.m. on July 23 in Daegu's Nam-gu district, kicked the front door several times and shouted abuse, according to the indictment as recounted by Yonhap. [ 2 ]
- He was charged with special intimidation. [ 2 ]
- He had received suspended sentences in 2021 and 2025 for special intimidation and special property damage, including damaging doors, in floor-noise disputes with neighbours. [ 2 ]
- The court said the offence was committed during a suspended sentence and that the victim had not forgiven him. [ 2 ]
- The court also considered that he admitted the offence, showed remorse and said he would receive treatment and not reoffend. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- A man in his 70s received a 10-month prison sentence over a weapon threat against a neighbour in a floor-noise dispute. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- A weapon was involved in the incident. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The dispute was over floor noise between neighbours. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The sentence was announced on October 6. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the defendant will appeal the sentence. None of the documents mention an appeal or say the ruling is final.
- What kind of weapon was carried and what happened after the man arrived. The documents refer only to a weapon and to the door being kicked; no further detail is given, and the two headline-only reports add nothing.
- The victim's condition or response beyond the court's statement that he did not forgive the defendant. Only one document addresses this, and only through the sentencing remarks.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- A man in his 70s goes to his upstairs neighbour's home in Daegu's Nam-gu district with a weapon, kicks the front door several times and shouts abuse, according to the indictment recounted by Yonhap. [ 2 ]
- Kukmin Ilbo publishes a report on the 10-month sentence. [ 1 ]
- Yonhap reports that the Daegu District Court sentenced the man to 10 months in prison. [ 2 ]
- Seoul Shinmun publishes its report on the sentence. [ 3 ]