Goyang (South Korea), Sep 24 (AP) In South Korea, tattoo artist Song Jaemin finds himself in high demand, with appointments booked weeks ahead and a respected clientele that includes international visitors. Yet, every time Song creates a tattoo, he is technically committing a crime due to the country's ban on tattooing without a medical license.
Despite knowing this, Song, aged 28, continues his work, optimistic that the legal landscape will soon change. "I knew it was illegal when I started, but I believed that the laws would be revised," he shared from his studio near Seoul. This change might come soon as South Korea's National Assembly is poised to pass a significant bill permitting non-medical individuals to legally give tattoos.
The introduction of the Tattooist Act would be a monumental win for tens of thousands of tattooists in South Korea. These artists have long sought to overturn a decades-old ban through rallies, constitutional appeals, and other methods. Public attitudes towards tattoos have gradually shifted, buoying their efforts.
Kim Sho-yun, 45, who manages a cosmetic tattoo studio in Hanam city, said the passing of this legislation would be an emotional relief. "I think I'll shed tears as it would release a burden I've carried for so long," she confessed.
Tattoos in South Korea were historically linked to crime and gang affiliations but are now recognized as a form of personal expression. Tattoos are increasingly seen among diverse populations, including K-pop artists like BTS's Jungkook, TWICE's Chaeyoung, and BigBang's G-Dragon.
An estimated millions of South Koreans now have tattoos, with about 70 percent being semi-permanent cosmetic tattoos such as those on eyebrows, eyelines, lips, or scalps. However, the 1992 Supreme Court ruling classifying tattooing as a medical procedure, due to potential health risks, still stands. This makes South Korea unique among developed nations in its tattoo regulations. Unauthorized tattooing is punishable by up to five years' imprisonment and fines amounting to 50 million won (USD 35,740).
Nonetheless, enforcement of these rules has been lax. A 2023 Health Ministry survey indicated that only 1.4 percent of personal tattoos and 6.8 percent of cosmetic tattoos were done in hospitals. "It's nonsensical," said Kim Soyoung, 54, a client at Kim Sho-yun's studio. "If it's illegal, am I considered a criminal?”
Song, who achieved top honors in a 2023 national tattoo competition, counts among his clients police, civil servants, soldiers, and U.S. troops stationed in South Korea. Some clients even come from countries such as China, the UK, Malaysia, and Iraq.
The threat of legal repercussions remains a concern for many tattoo artists. Some judges have shown leniency by issuing deferred rulings or favorable verdicts, but fines are still handed out. Lim Bo-ran, leader of the Korea Tattoo Federation, advocates for tattooists to challenge fines in higher courts to further their cause.
Many artists fear being reported, leading some to tolerate poor customer behavior and operate without signage. Others have moved their businesses overseas to avoid legal risks. Kim recounted a frightening experience when someone threatened to report her business to the authorities over a non-business-related disagreement six years ago, highlighting the precarious situation for tattooists. Lim noted that some female artists have experienced sexual assault but chose not to report the incidents, fearing job loss.
The new Tattooist Act would introduce official licensing for tattooists, requiring them to complete yearly hygiene training at designated facilities, which Lim recognized as beneficial yet burdensome due to increased regulation. The bill, enjoying bipartisan support and having passed the assembly's health and judiciary committees, is favored by the Health Ministry, with diminishing opposition from medical professionals. The earliest the act could pass is Thursday, when a plenary session is slated.
For professionals like Kim, the work brings a sense of achievement, especially when meeting clients' desires to improve their appearance, and includes memorable clients like cancer patients who sought eyebrow tattoos pre-chemotherapy. Song expressed "tremendous pride" in his creations that become lifelong companions for his clients. His studio has produced significant tattoos, such as those honoring deceased loved ones.
"There's no limit to tattoos," Song remarked. "Anything you draw on paper, walls, or elsewhere, you can recreate on human skin." During an AP visit to Song's studio, he was finalizing an intricate depiction of Jesus Christ on the forearm of Lee Byong-joo, 37. Lee, adorned with various tattoos including images of a tiger, a whale, and words in memory of his grandmother, expressed satisfaction, saying, "I enjoy having art I love on my body permanently, although my wife has told me to refrain from adding more."
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