When prominent rapper Jay Park graces Korean television, he conceals the compass tattoo on his neck with flesh-toned tape. In Seoul, tattoos are routinely censored on public television, reflecting a deeply ingrained social taboo around body art.
However, the nation recently took a monumental stride toward destigmatizing body ink. On Thursday, the National Assembly successfully passed a bill granting legal status to tattoo artists, enabling them to operate openly rather than being relegated to hidden backrooms or subterranean studios. President Lee Jae Myung is anticipated to sign this bill into law within weeks.
Heo Jun-ho, manager of a Seoul tattoo parlor, expressed his enthusiasm: “Now, we can proudly embrace our profession and work in bright, open spaces, much like modern hair salons.”
This change overturns a 1992 Supreme Court decision that controversially categorized tattooing as a medical procedure, exclusively reserving it for licensed doctors. Those who dared to defy the law faced severe penalties, including fines up to $36,000 or even imprisonment.
Tattoos have carried a heavy social stigma in South Korea for centuries. Historically, during the Koryo dynasty (918-1392 A.D.), individuals were often forcibly marked with tattoos on their faces or arms to denote their crimes or slave status. In more recent times, throughout the 20th century, tattoos became unfortunately associated with criminal organizations.
Remarkably, despite this long-standing prohibition, South Korea’s tattoo industry has thrived. Current government figures suggest a vibrant community of approximately 350,000 tattoo artists, with over a million citizens estimated to sport at least one tattoo. It’s important to note that while getting a tattoo was not illegal for individuals, the artists themselves faced legal repercussions.
Upon the new law’s implementation, artists will gain the ability to operate legally, provided they secure a government-approved license. Furthermore, tattoo studios will be required to adhere to updated hygiene and safety regulations.
Mr. Heo confirmed, “We anticipate needing to upgrade our studio and retrain our team to align with these new standards, but we are confident it will be a worthwhile investment.”
However, the bill was not without its detractors. Some lawmakers and members of the medical community voiced concerns, arguing that tattooing procedures were inherently unsafe and unhygienic.
President Lee had initially vowed to legalize tattooing during his 2022 presidential campaign, a race he narrowly lost to Yoon Suk Yeol. Just two months prior to that election, the Constitutional Court had, by a slim 5-to-4 margin, reaffirmed the illegal status of tattoos.
Following Mr. Yoon’s impeachment late last year, President Lee secured the presidency in a special election held in June. He now has approximately two weeks to officially sign the bill, which has also garnered public support from his health minister.