Who is involved:

Kim Do-yoon, head of a local branch of Tattoo Union.

A well-known tattoo artist who played a key role in pushing for Korea’s new “Tattoo Law” that allows non-medical tattooing.


What the court decided:

An appellate court found Kim guilty of violating the Medical Act.

However, the court issued a suspended sentencing (선고유예) of,

A fine of 1 million KRW.

(If Kim commits no further offenses for two years, the sentence is treated as if it never existed.)



Why the court still found him guilty:

Tattooing involves direct contact with the human body.

Certain areas (face, neck, lower body) carry medical and anatomical risks.

The court said tattooing cannot be treated as a purely technical or harmless activity.


The court noted that the new law, set to take effect in 2027, still:

– Limits where tattooing can occur

– Imposes criminal penalties

– Requires safety management duties

– Mandates liability insurance


This shows the state still views tattooing as a specially regulated activity, not a fully ordinary profession.


Key legal interpretation:

The court rejected the idea that the new law means tattooing is no longer a medical-adjacent act.

Lawmakers did not declare tattooing completely outside medical oversight.


Background of the case:

In 2019, Kim performed a tattoo on a celebrity client without a medical license.

He was prosecuted for violating the Medical Act.

In 2021, the trial court fined him 5 million KRW.


Why this ruling matters:

Even with legalization on the horizon, current law still applies.

Tattoo artists remain legally vulnerable until the new system officially takes effect.

Courts are signaling a cautious, safety-first approach to tattoo regulation.



In short, the court acknowledged social change and upcoming reform, but made it clear: until the new law is in force, tattooing without proper authorization is still illegal. 🖋️⚖️

Article: https://www.jmbc.co.kr/news/view/60736