Background and Relevance
South Korea, a leading developed nation, has been unique in restricting tattooing to medical professionals only. This peculiarity has led to a historical moment as the country’s Parliament recently approved a groundbreaking bill to legalize tattoo artists.
The Legislative Milestone
The Tattoo Artist Act was passed convincingly on Thursday afternoon with 195 votes in favor out of the 202 attending members. This new law will enable non-medical professionals to obtain a license, ending decades of unauthorized tattooing.
The legislation, set to take effect after a two-year grace period, addresses the previous harsh penalties faced by tattoo artists. Until now, those practicing without medical authorization could face hefty fines of up to 50 million wones (approximately $35,464) and even jail time.
The Rising Trend of Tattooing in South Korea
Despite the legal restrictions, tattooing has gained immense popularity both domestically and internationally in South Korea. It’s common to spot individuals, including K-pop stars, with tattoos on the streets of South Korean cities.
Celebration and Future Prospects
Prominent tattoo artists in South Korea, like Doy, a well-known tattoo artist and union organizer who has faced prosecution and fines for practicing his craft, have expressed joy following the bill’s approval after years of advocacy to overturn the ban.
“We tattoo artists in Korea, each in our own space, have overcome the isolating nature of our profession and built solidarity among 1,100 members. By doing so, we have transformed the injustice that long denied our profession.”
– Doy, a renowned South Korean tattoo artist
With President Lee Jae-myung, who has supported the legalization of tattoo artists, expected to sign the bill into law, this historic moment marks a significant shift in South Korea’s approach to personal expression through body art.
Key Questions and Answers
- What was the previous situation regarding tattooing in South Korea? Tattooing was restricted to medical professionals only, with unauthorized tattoo artists facing heavy fines and potential jail time.
- What does the newly approved bill do? The Tattoo Artist Act legalizes tattooing for non-medical professionals by allowing them to obtain a license.
- When will the new law take effect? The legislation will enter into force after a two-year grace period.
- Who has supported the legalization of tattoo artists in South Korea? President Lee Jae-myung has been a strong advocate for this change.
