When acclaimed rapper Jay Park graces Korean television, he often conceals the distinctive compass tattoo on his neck with discreet, skin-toned tape. This practice highlights the enduring social stigma surrounding body art in Seoul, where tattoos are routinely censored on public broadcasts.
However, the nation recently took a monumental stride toward embracing body art. On Thursday, the National Assembly successfully passed legislation that grants legal recognition to tattoo artists. This pivotal bill means artists can finally operate openly, moving out of the hidden backrooms and subterranean studios that have long defined their work. President Lee Jae Myung is anticipated to sign this bill into law within weeks.
Heo Jun-ho, who manages a vibrant tattoo parlor in Seoul, expressed immense relief and excitement. “Now we can openly take pride in our profession and welcome clients into bright, spacious studios, much like traditional hair salons,” he shared.
Historically, a 1992 Supreme Court decision controversially categorized tattooing as a medical procedure, thereby restricting its practice exclusively to licensed doctors. Those who dared to defy this law faced severe penalties, including hefty fines of up to $36,000 or even imprisonment.
Tattoos carry a deep-seated history of stigma in South Korea. Tracing back to the Koryo dynasty (918-1392 A.D.), individuals were often marked with facial or arm tattoos to denote crimes or slave status. More recently, in the 20th century, tattoos became unfortunately associated with criminal gangs, further cementing their negative perception.
Remarkably, despite the long-standing ban, South Korea’s tattoo industry has thrived. Government figures estimate a vibrant community of around 350,000 tattoo artists, with over a million citizens proudly sporting at least one tattoo. It’s crucial to note that while receiving a tattoo was never illegal for individuals, the artists themselves faced legal repercussions.
With the new law’s implementation, artists will gain the ability to legally practice their craft, provided they secure a government-approved license. Additionally, all tattoo studios will be required to adhere to stringent new hygiene and safety regulations.
“While we anticipate needing to renovate our studio and retrain our team to meet these new standards, it’s an investment we believe will be entirely worthwhile,” stated Mr. Heo, highlighting the industry’s commitment to professionalism.
Naturally, the bill faced opposition from critics, including some lawmakers and members of the medical community, who raised concerns about the perceived unsafety and unhygienic nature of tattooing.
President Lee Jae Myung had originally championed tattoo legalization during his 2022 presidential campaign, narrowly losing to Yoon Suk Yeol. Interestingly, just two months prior to that election, the Constitutional Court had, by a slim 5-to-4 margin, reaffirmed the illegal status of tattooing.
Following Mr. Yoon’s impeachment late last year, Mr. Lee secured the presidency in a special election held in June. He now has approximately two weeks to formally sign the bill into law, a move that has also received public backing from his health minister.