The 'Tattoo Act', which allows non-medical persons to perform tattoo procedures, passed through the full meeting of the Health and Welfare Committee of the National Assembly on the 27th.
The Tattoo Act is primarily aimed at establishing the profession of 'tattoo artist' and stipulating procedures related to qualifications and examinations. It also includes provisions for requiring tattoo artists to undergo hygiene and safety management training annually in order to open tattoo shops.
Non-medical tattoo procedures have been punished as violations of medical law since a Supreme Court ruling in 1992 deemed tattooing as a 'medical act.'
Park Jumin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who proposed the bill, noted after the passage of the Tattoo Act during the meeting that 'tattoos are a daily life and culture experienced by about 30% of our citizens and a livelihood for more than 300,000 people working in related fields.' He expressed his welcome, stating, 'Today, we have finally taken a big step forward in enacting the Tattoo Act after a long wait.'
Chairperson Park said, 'Korea's tattoos, which had uniquely remained in a legal gray area around the world, are now beginning to step into the light of the system.' However, she added, 'This is not the end. Efforts to alleviate concerns from certain sectors, including the medical community, and to ensure the safety of the public must continue.'
The bill allowing non-medical persons to tattoo had been proposed several times in the National Assembly but had not passed. Former Justice Party member Ryu Ho-jeong introduced the 'Tattoo Business Act' in June 2021 to legalize tattoo procedures, garnering attention as Hong Joon-pyo was included as a co-signer.
Ryu appeared on a radio broadcast at the time and said, 'You need to fill the proposal with 10 people. I thought about how to persuade the other four (besides the six from the Justice Party), and I found there were several members in the National Assembly who have eyebrow tattoos.'
When Ryu approached Hong and said, 'You have eyebrow tattoos,' Hong readily agreed with a smile regarding the bill. Ryu mentioned, 'So along with Mr. Hong Joon-pyo, some members with eyebrow tattoos also participated.'
Hong Joon-pyo had eyebrow tattoos made in September 2011 when he was the representative of the Grand National Party. At that time, his side explained, 'Due to stress, hair loss occurred, and as a result, he lost his eyebrows and had tattoos done.' He even acquired the nickname 'Honggribird,' a play on the popular game 'Angry Birds', due to his suddenly darker eyebrows.
Ryu drew attention by holding a press conference in the National Assembly's lawn while wearing a deep V-neck purple dress when proposing this bill. On her back were various patterns of purple tattoos, which were not permanent but were stickers.