South Korea joins rest of world by legalising tattooing

South Korea’s parliament passed a landmark bill on Thursday that would allow people to give tattoos without having a medical licence.

The country currently allows only people with medical licences to give tattoos, making it the only country in the industrialised world with such a restriction. Tens of thousands of tattoo artists have been working in the shadows in South Korea for decades.

The single-chamber National Assembly passed the Tattooist Act by a 195-0 vote. Seven lawmakers abstained from voting.

The Tattooist Act would introduce an official licensing system for tattoo artists and place them under state supervision. The act would take effect after a two-year grace period that begins once it’s formally proclaimed by President Lee Jae-myung. That step is considered a formality, as his Health Ministry has already expressed support for the measure.

The bill’s passage comes as public views towards tattoos are changing. In the past, tattoos were associated with gangsters or criminals, but they are now increasingly perceived as a form of self-expression, with K-pop idols and other celebrities openly displaying tattoos.

The current restrictions trace back to a 1992 Supreme Court verdict that defined cosmetic tattoos as medical procedures, citing health issues that could be caused by tattoo needles and ink. Authorities don’t aggressively enforce the rules, allowing tattooists to thrive in the shadows.