South Korea has legalised tattoo artistry by non-medical professionals for the first time in more than 30 years, following a campaign by members of the profession to work without fear of prosecution or harassment.
Though tattoos are commonplace in the east Asian nation, offering them has been limited to medical professionals since a 1992 Supreme Court ruling.
However, the newly passed Tattooist Act allows non-medical professionals—who compose most of the industry—to obtain a license to operate legally.
Lim Bo-ran, president of the Korea Tattoo Federation, expressed his joy at the law's passing, stating, I can't speak because it feels like a dream. I am truly grateful..
During the period from 1992 up until this recent change, individuals who offered tattoos without medical credentials could face imprisonment for up to five years or fines up to 50 million Korean won (approximately $35,000).
Statistics on the number of prosecuted tattooists are lacking, but the Korean Tattoo Union estimates the provision of legal support to at least 50 artists annually, with many more subjected to fines.
As of 2021, South Korea had an estimated 350,000 tattoo artists, with most specializing in semi-permanent makeup. While the industry has seen a surge in practitioners, a vast majority do not hold medical qualifications, instead coming from artistic or beauty backgrounds.
Historically, tattoo artists faced harassment and legal threats simply for practicing their trade. A female artist known as Narr once shared that she experienced sexual harassment, fearing that reporting the incident would lead to her own prosecution.
Despite recent shifts within the court system that have seen tattoo artists acquitted in multiple cases, the new law's implementation has faced pushback from South Korea's medical community.
The Korean Medical Association argued that tattooing carries inherent health risks, claiming it should fundamentally be classified as a medical procedure.
Despite the growing acceptance of tattoos within youth culture and influencer trends, many in the industry fear that entrenched stigma may take time to uproot. Surveys indicate that a significant portion of the South Korean populace still views tattoos negatively.
While the prohibition of tattooing will no longer persist, fully normalizing the practice will likely be a gradual journey. The new law will take effect in two years and requires tattoo artists to complete national exams, safety and hygiene training, while maintaining detailed operational records. Furthermore, laser tattoo removal services will continue to be restricted to licensed medical professionals.
Additional reporting by Yuna Ku
