By Lee Kyung-min
The government said Tuesday that it is considering legalizing tattooing in a bid to help tattoo artists become legitimate and boost job creation.
According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL), related ministries will discuss legalizing the profession by 2017, as they view it as a promising grwoth industry in the future.
Currently, tattooing is considered a medical treatment, as it involves piercing a person's skin with a needle, and only licensed healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses and Oriental medicine practitioners are permitted to perform it. Thus, most tattooists, who work without a medical license, are subject to punishment. Korea and Japan are the only two countries that define the act of tattooing as medical treatment, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
If legalized, an estimated 2,000 tattoo artists nationwide will be able to practice their craft without fear of criminal prosecution, business shutdowns or fines.
"We need to guarantee the tattooists' artistic activities through proper government supervision, and minimize problems arising from unprofessional, unhygienic tattoo operations," a labor ministry official said.
Under the government plan, the labor ministry will seek the cooperation of the health ministry to gather opinions from interest groups comprising medical professionals. The health ministry will review safety issues and equipment related to the procedure to prevent infections and medical accidents and to properly train the practitioners.
The move came after warming public perceptions over tattooing, which is increasingly accepted as a way of expressing individuality, according to the official.
"The government is aiming to help the artists concentrate on their work without having to worry about being punished for doing what they love," the official said.
"Further, if legalized, proper taxation on them would help with the country's economy."
However, the discussion is likely to take some time due to opposition from the medical community who fear tattooists will encroach on their business.
"Doctors have long opposed the plan, because a tattoo is performed on the human body," said the official. "Therefore, those without proper training and background knowledge of human anatomy could inflict serious harm. We will have broad discussions to reflect the concerns of all involved."
Tattoo artist Choi Jeong-won called for the government to carry out the legalization process immediately.
"There have been discussions over the past several years, but nothing has been done," Choi said. "Of course I welcome the government's move and I hope it will recognize the many tattooists who are artists recognized for their sophisticated work."
The government said Tuesday that it is considering legalizing tattooing in a bid to help tattoo artists become legitimate and boost job creation.
According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL), related ministries will discuss legalizing the profession by 2017, as they view it as a promising grwoth industry in the future.
Currently, tattooing is considered a medical treatment, as it involves piercing a person's skin with a needle, and only licensed healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses and Oriental medicine practitioners are permitted to perform it. Thus, most tattooists, who work without a medical license, are subject to punishment. Korea and Japan are the only two countries that define the act of tattooing as medical treatment, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
If legalized, an estimated 2,000 tattoo artists nationwide will be able to practice their craft without fear of criminal prosecution, business shutdowns or fines.
"We need to guarantee the tattooists' artistic activities through proper government supervision, and minimize problems arising from unprofessional, unhygienic tattoo operations," a labor ministry official said.
Under the government plan, the labor ministry will seek the cooperation of the health ministry to gather opinions from interest groups comprising medical professionals. The health ministry will review safety issues and equipment related to the procedure to prevent infections and medical accidents and to properly train the practitioners.
The move came after warming public perceptions over tattooing, which is increasingly accepted as a way of expressing individuality, according to the official.
"The government is aiming to help the artists concentrate on their work without having to worry about being punished for doing what they love," the official said.
"Further, if legalized, proper taxation on them would help with the country's economy."
However, the discussion is likely to take some time due to opposition from the medical community who fear tattooists will encroach on their business.
"Doctors have long opposed the plan, because a tattoo is performed on the human body," said the official. "Therefore, those without proper training and background knowledge of human anatomy could inflict serious harm. We will have broad discussions to reflect the concerns of all involved."
Tattoo artist Choi Jeong-won called for the government to carry out the legalization process immediately.
"There have been discussions over the past several years, but nothing has been done," Choi said. "Of course I welcome the government's move and I hope it will recognize the many tattooists who are artists recognized for their sophisticated work."
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