On Thursday, September 25, 2025, South Korea’s National Assembly made history by lifting a 33-year-old ban on tattooing by non-medical professionals, passing the much-anticipated Tattooist Act with overwhelming support—195 votes in favor out of 202 lawmakers present, with just seven abstentions. The move marks a monumental shift in the country’s approach to body art, ending decades of legal uncertainty for tens of thousands of tattoo artists and their clients.
For years, South Korea stood alone among industrialized countries, requiring that only licensed doctors could legally administer tattoos. This restriction originated from a 1992 Supreme Court ruling, which classified tattooing as a medical procedure under the Medical Services Act. The rationale? Concerns about health risks associated with tattoo needles and inks. As a result, non-medical tattooists faced the constant threat of criminal prosecution—up to five years in prison and hefty fines reaching 50 million won (about $35,740), according to the Associated Press.
Despite these severe penalties, tattooing flourished underground. Millions of South Koreans have tattoos—an estimated 70% of them as semi-permanent cosmetic tattoos on eyebrows, eyelines, lips, or scalps. The practice has become increasingly mainstream, embraced by K-pop icons like BTS’s Jungkook, TWICE’s Chaeyoung, and BigBang’s G-Dragon. Public sentiment has evolved; what was once associated with gangsters and criminals is now widely accepted as a form of self-expression. “Lawmakers, entertainers and so many people around me have tattoos. But if it’s really illegal, am I a lawbreaker?” wondered Kim Soyoung, a customer at a cosmetic tattoo studio, as quoted by the Associated Press.
The Tattooist Act, hailed as a landmark piece of legislation, introduces a comprehensive licensing system for tattoo artists, officially recognizing their profession and placing them under state supervision. Under the new law, both tattoos and semi-permanent makeup are defined as “tattooing acts.” Only those who pass a national exam and obtain a license will be allowed to practice professionally. Non-medical tattooists who are already in practice will be able to continue their work under temporary registration until they secure their licenses, thanks to a transitional period built into the legislation. The law is set to take effect two years after its promulgation.
Public health and safety are at the forefront of the new regulations. Licensed tattooists must undergo annual hygiene and safety management training at government-designated institutions. They are also required to keep detailed records of every procedure, including the date, types and quantities of ink used, and the body area tattooed. Tattooing minors without parental consent remains strictly prohibited, and tattoo removal by nonmedical professionals is still off-limits.
The law’s passage is the culmination of years of activism by tattoo artists who, despite the legal risks, have continued to work and advocate for change. They’ve held rallies, filed constitutional appeals, and steadily gained public support. “I began this even though I knew it was illegal, but I was confident that legal restrictions would be eased and things would change,” said Song Jaemin, a popular tattoo artist whose clients include not just locals but also visitors from abroad. Song, who won a top prize in a 2023 domestic tattoo competition, reflected, “There is no limit in tattoos. Whatever you draw on paper, carbon paper, walls or elsewhere, we can also do the same on human bodies. There are really unlimited tattoo styles and artists.”
For many tattoo artists, the lifting of the ban is both a relief and a validation. Kim Sho-yun, who runs a cosmetic tattoo studio, described the emotional toll of working under the threat of prosecution. “I think I’ll shed tears, as it would take a long-accumulated load off my mind,” she said. The fear of being reported to authorities, sometimes even by people close to them, has been a persistent worry. Some tattooists, especially women, have endured additional risks, including sexual harassment, but were reluctant to report incidents for fear of losing their livelihoods.
Im Bo-ran, president of the Korea Tattoo Federation, stood on the steps of the National Assembly after the vote, expressing the pride and hope felt by many in her profession. “Today, with rightful professional pride, we make a promise to the people,” she declared, according to The Korea Herald. “We will offer safer and higher-quality services and make K-tattoos the best in the world. We will mark today as the start of that great journey.”
While the new law is widely celebrated, it also brings new responsibilities. Tattooists will be under greater government oversight, and some artists worry about the added burden. Lim Bo-ran, leader of the Korea Tattoo Federation, acknowledged that the law would “burden tattoo artists by putting them under government supervision,” but she and others see it as a necessary step toward legitimacy and public safety.
The Tattooist Act enjoyed rare bipartisan support in the National Assembly and was approved by both the health and judiciary committees before its passage. The Health Ministry has voiced its support, and opposition from the medical community has waned. Rep. Park Ju-min of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, who chairs the parliament’s Health and Welfare Committee and introduced the bill, emphasized the importance of proper implementation: “With this bill passed, people can now receive tattoos safely, and tattoo professionals can finally be recognized as legal experts. I will make sure this system is properly implemented until the end.”
The law’s impact is already being felt as tattoo artists, once forced to operate in the shadows, begin to step into the light. Song Jaemin, who has inked everyone from civil servants to U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, summed up the prevailing feeling: “I feel tremendous pride in putting my work on people’s bodies that they will carry for their entire lives.” His clients, like Lee Byong-joo, echo that sentiment. Lee, who recently received a tattoo of Jesus Christ from Song, said, “I feel good as I can have pictures that I like on my body for good.”
The passage of the Tattooist Act signals not just a legal transformation, but a cultural one. South Korea’s tattoo artists can now look forward to a future where their craft is recognized, regulated, and respected—no longer a crime, but an art form in its own right.
