For a long time, South Korea remained an exception where getting a tattoo was legally equated to a medical procedure. This status forced thousands of talented artists to work in the shadows, and millions of citizens dreaming of tattoos relied on gray schemes. However, this era is officially ending: the country’s government is beginning to integrate the thriving body art market into the legal economy.
tattoo south korea
South Korea: Supreme Court Overturns Ban on Tattoos for Non-Medical Professionals
An event has occurred in the world of the tattoo industry that can safely be called historic for East Asia. The Supreme Court of South Korea, relying on modern realities and changing social norms, has issued a decision that completely changes the legal landscape for artists. The judicial panel ruled that tattooing by individuals without medical education can no longer be classified as illegal medical practice. This verdict effectively overturns the 1992 precedent that had held back the industry’s development for 34 years.