South Korean tattoo artists have historically operated under the constant threat of legal consequences, as only licensed physicians were permitted to perform tattooing procedures. Violating this regulation carried significant penalties, including substantial fines and potential imprisonment.
This restrictive environment forced the country’s tattoo community to work in shadows for decades, with artists risking severe legal repercussions simply for practicing their craft. The limitation effectively criminalized personal and artistic tattooing, confining the practice exclusively to medical contexts such as skin appendage restoration or cosmetic surgical procedures.
