A heated debate is unfolding over the notice posted on LH public rental housing.

On the 1st, an LH public rental housing notice was posted on an online community. The writer of the notice introduced himself as the ‘Chairman of the Autonomous Community Association’ and said, “Honestly, I am a beggar with no money and no house. That is why I came here with the help of the country.”

He said, “All the other residents besides me are rich and have houses elsewhere. So did they come here because they are rich?” and “For all of us, no, for myself, I am trying to save as much as possible on apartment management fees.”

He then pointed out that a cleaning service was needed because of residents who carelessly throw away cigarette butts, and appealed, “Is the cleaning service fee paid by LH?” and “If you smoke, please do not throw it away on the floor of the apartment complex.”

He also added, “If you are a beggar who came here without a home, I respectfully ask you to live frugally and save even a little money like a beggar.”

Public rental housing is a representative housing welfare policy implemented by the government. It is created to ensure housing stability for the vulnerable. It is aimed at socially vulnerable groups such as low-income families and the disabled, and allows long-term residence at low rents.

After the post was made public, there was a fierce clash of opinions among netizens, with some saying, “That’s too harsh,” and others saying, “It’s not wrong. The problem is smokers who don’t properly throw away their cigarette butts.”

There are also claims that the issue is the issue of smoking in apartments. Conflicts over smoking in apartment complexes are occurring everywhere. Even in ‘non-smoking apartments’ where the complex is designated as a non-smoking area and fines are imposed for violations, conflicts between smokers and non-smokers are known to occur.

In particular, illegally discarded cigarette butts are cited as a major cause of conflict. Online posts such as “a lit cigarette butt fell right next to me” or “there are too many cigarette butts in the underground parking lot” have become controversial. In July, a large fire almost broke out due to someone throwing a cigarette butt into a sewer.

Meanwhile, according to the Waste Management Act, if you are caught illegally dumping trash, you will be fined up to 1 million won. If you throw away trash you are carrying, such as cigarette butts or tissues, you will be fined 50,000 won.

Kim So-yeon, Hankyung.com reporter sue123@hankyung.com