Tattoo artists ridiculed the decision, calling it belated and without cultural understanding. Despite a ban for decades, South Korea has nearly 50,000 tattoo artists at risk of police raids and prosecutions for practicing their profession. Violation of the ban is punishable by fines of up to 50 million won ($ 51,700 Cdn) and prison sentences – usually two years, although the law provides for life. Tattoo associations have filed a series of lawsuits since 2017 challenging the law, saying it violates their freedom of expression and their right to practice. In a 5-4 vote, the Constitutional Court ruled Thursday that the law is constitutional. He dismissed the costumes, saying the tattoo had possible side effects and safety issues. “The limited medical knowledge and skills involved in tattooing cannot provide the level of treatment that medical professionals can provide, treatment that may be needed before or after the procedure,” the verdict said. The tattoo on the hand of BTS member Jungkook appears in a recent Instagram post: An association of 650 tattoo artists issued a statement condemning the decision, calling it “retroactive” and “not worth a penny”. “The court still walks on all fours when all the citizens are standing,” said Kim Do-yong, the union leader, a famous tattoo artist better known as Doi. Kim said the court failed to proceed after a 1992 Supreme Court ruling copying a Japanese ruling that tattooing was a medical activity, although Japanese courts have since overturned that ruling.
Eyebrow tattoos, eyeliner were also practiced
Kim Sho-yun, vice president of the Korean Tattoo Federation, also criticized the latest decision, saying the current law is “nonsense”, especially given the country’s growing tattoo market and rising global position. “Why do they insist that tattooing is a medical procedure, even though doctors cannot and do not do it?” she said in tears at a press conference in front of the courthouse, promising to continue the fight. The popularity of “K-tattoos” has increased at home and abroad in recent years thanks to their designs with thin lines, fine details and the use of bold colors. While tattoos are often covered on television, many Korean celebrities, including members of K-pop bands, have shown them on social media. Polls show that most South Koreans support the legalization of tattoos, but medical associations oppose it, saying the use of needles is an invasive procedure that could harm the body. President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol voiced support ahead of this month’s election to legalize so-called cosmetic tattoos, which are semi-permanent and popular for improving eyebrows, eyes and hair.
