A note from a resident of an apartment building ask for understanding regarding their father's smoking indoors due to mobility issues. Captured from an online community

A note from an apartment resident requesting understanding for their father's indoor smoking due to mobility issues has ignited a heated debate online.

The resident, referred to as "A," shared a post in an online community, revealing a handwritten note he received from a neighbor, referred to as "B," who lives in the same apartment building.

In the note, B explained that he lives with his 97-year-old father, who, due to his inability to move around easily, has to smoke indoors. The note reads, "I live with my 97-year-old father, who has difficulty moving around. Unfortunately, because he cannot go outside, he has no choice but to smoke indoors."

The neighbor further expressed his apologies, saying, "I am truly sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. However, I ask that you consider how you would feel if it were your own parent. Please show some understanding with an open heart."

The note sparked intense discussion online, with many criticizing the request. Some comments read, "Empathy isn't one-sided. What about families with young children who have to suffer from the second-hand smoke?" Others suggested, "They could take him outside in a wheelchair to smoke instead."

On the other hand, a few users expressed sympathy for the neighbor's situation. One commenter wrote, "It's hard to move at 97, and they might not have the means to relocate. I think we should be understanding."

Another added, "If he's forced to stop smoking and something happens to him, it might haunt the family forever."

The situation has drawn attention to the ongoing issue of disputes over indoor smoking in apartment complexes. While laws exist to regulate smoking in shared spaces, such as balconies and restrooms, there are no specific penalties for smoking inside apartments.

Current laws state that "Residents of multi-unit housing must make efforts to avoid causing harm to others through smoking in private spaces such as balconies or bathrooms."

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, complaints related to indoor smoking between floors reached 35,148 cases in 2022, a 20 percent increase from 2020.

There are no penalties for smoking inside apartments, though smoking in shared spaces is regulated. Gettyimagebank

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.