@article{ART003314949},
author={Oh, Ho-Cheol and Yu Jin Woo},
title={A Study on the Cultural Significance of Tattoos and Key Provisions of the Tattooing Act},
journal={Legal Theory & Practice Review},
issn={2288-1840},
year={2026},
volume={14},
number={1},
pages={503-529}
TY - JOUR
AU - Oh, Ho-Cheol
AU - Yu Jin Woo
TI - A Study on the Cultural Significance of Tattoos and Key Provisions of the Tattooing Act
JO - Legal Theory & Practice Review
PY - 2026
VL - 14
IS - 1
PB - The Korea Society for Legal Theory and Practice Inc.
SP - 503
EP - 529
SN - 2288-1840
AB - Since the Supreme Court ruling in 1992(Supreme Court Decision 91Do3219, May 22, 1992), tattooing has been deemed a medical act under the Medical Service Act. Therefore, tattooing performed by non-medical practitioners constitutes illegal unlicensed medical practice and is subject to punishment under the Criminal Act. Public perception of tattoos at the time of the 1992 Supreme Court ruling was highly negative. However, recent public attitudes have become much more tolerant, viewing tattoos as commonplace in our surroundings. Particularly among the MZ generation, tattoos are often considered a means of self-expression. Nevertheless, the medical community has opposed legalizing tattooing procedures, arguing that it remains an invasive act involving the creation of numerous wounds with needles and the introduction of foreign substances into the skin, posing risks of infection and safety management issues. Consequently, South Korea was the only country in the world until recently that treated tattooing procedures as illegal. As the number of tattoo users (including semi-permanent makeup) surpassed 13 million, and the gap remained unresolved over whether tattooing constitutes a medical act under the Medical Service Act, public opinion increasingly called for health authorities to establish a safety management system to ensure the health and safety of both users and tattoists. Accordingly, the Tattoo Artist Act was finally passed on September 25, 2025, and will take effect two years later. However, there are still people who speak negatively about tattoos and those who maintain that tattooing is a skin-invasive procedure carrying risks such as infection. Therefore, this paper examines the shift in acceptance of tattoos in Korea through changes in cultural perception, highlighting that tattoos are no longer solely the preserve of subcultures but have gained broader public interest. It further explores how tattoos are now recognized as an art form. It also examined the recently passed Tattoo Artist Act in the National Assembly, which addresses various safety concerns raised by some perspectives. The Act establishes key provisions to ensure tattoo users can receive services with peace of mind.
KW - Tattoo;Tattoo Artist Act;Medical Practice;Tattooing Procedure;Semi-Permanent Makeup
DO -
UR -
ER -
Oh, Ho-Cheol and Yu Jin Woo. (2026). A Study on the Cultural Significance of Tattoos and Key Provisions of the Tattooing Act. Legal Theory & Practice Review, 14(1), 503-529.
Oh, Ho-Cheol and Yu Jin Woo. 2026, "A Study on the Cultural Significance of Tattoos and Key Provisions of the Tattooing Act", Legal Theory & Practice Review, vol.14, no.1 pp.503-529.
Oh, Ho-Cheol, Yu Jin Woo "A Study on the Cultural Significance of Tattoos and Key Provisions of the Tattooing Act" Legal Theory & Practice Review 14.1 pp.503-529 (2026) : 503.
Oh, Ho-Cheol, Yu Jin Woo. A Study on the Cultural Significance of Tattoos and Key Provisions of the Tattooing Act. 2026; 14(1), 503-529.
Oh, Ho-Cheol and Yu Jin Woo. "A Study on the Cultural Significance of Tattoos and Key Provisions of the Tattooing Act" Legal Theory & Practice Review 14, no.1 (2026) : 503-529.
Oh, Ho-Cheol; Yu Jin Woo. A Study on the Cultural Significance of Tattoos and Key Provisions of the Tattooing Act. Legal Theory & Practice Review, 14(1), 503-529.
Oh, Ho-Cheol; Yu Jin Woo. A Study on the Cultural Significance of Tattoos and Key Provisions of the Tattooing Act. Legal Theory & Practice Review. 2026; 14(1) 503-529.
Oh, Ho-Cheol, Yu Jin Woo. A Study on the Cultural Significance of Tattoos and Key Provisions of the Tattooing Act. 2026; 14(1), 503-529.
Oh, Ho-Cheol and Yu Jin Woo. "A Study on the Cultural Significance of Tattoos and Key Provisions of the Tattooing Act" Legal Theory & Practice Review 14, no.1 (2026) : 503-529.
