South Korea Legalizes Non-Medical Tattooing: A Historic Shift in Attitudes

Tue Oct 21 2025 06:45:34 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a landmark decision, South Korea has officially legalized tattooing by non-medical professionals for the first time in over 30 years, allowing artists in the industry to work without the threat of legal persecution.

The South Korean legislature has passed the Tattooist Act, permitting non-medical professionals to legally perform tattoo artistry. This follows decades of restrictions limiting tattoos to licensed medical practitioners, with many artists facing significant legal risks. Supporters, including the Korea Tattoo Federation, are elated at the legislative change, while the medical community expresses concerns over health risks associated with tattooing. The law, effective in two years, requires artists to undergo training and examinations.

South Korea has legalised tattoo artistry by non-medical professionals for the first time in over 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 following a 1992 Supreme Court ruling. However, after the passing of the Tattooist Act by the General Assembly on Thursday, non-medical professionals—who make up the majority of the industry—will now be able to obtain a licence.

Lim Bo-ran, president of the Korea Tattoo Federation, cried upon hearing the news, saying: I can't speak because it feels like a dream. I am truly grateful. Between 1992 and now, anyone offering tattoos without medical credentials faced up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million Korean won ($35,000; £28,000).

There are no official statistics on prosecutions related to tattooing, but the South Korea Tattoo Union reports providing legal support to at least 50 tattooists each year, believing many more cases result in fines. As of 2021, there were an estimated 350,000 tattoo artists in the country, with most specializing in semi-permanent make-up for lips, eyebrows, or hairlines.

Relatively few of these artists possess medical qualifications; instead, most come from art or beauty backgrounds. As tattoo artists operated in an illegal capacity, they faced threats and reported incidents from unhappy clients.

In recent years, South Korean courts have acquitted several tattoo artists, reflecting a shift in public attitudes. Park Ju-min, chairman of the National Assembly's health and welfare committee, emphasized that the new law will allow citizens to obtain tattoos safely and recognize those engaged in the tattoo industry as legal professionals.

However, the law has faced opposition from South Korea's medical community, with the Korean Medical Association asserting that tattooing poses health risks, including interference with cancer diagnoses. Despite growing popularity, polls indicate that a majority of South Koreans still view tattoos negatively.

The new law will take effect in two years, requiring tattoo artists to pass a national exam, complete safety and hygiene training, and maintain detailed records. It should be noted that laser tattoo removals will still only be performed by medical professionals.

Additional reporting by Yuna Ku