DPK lawmaker pushes to pass Tatto Artist Act in current assembly

Ahead of the National Assembly debate on the “Tattoo Artist Act,” which would allow non-medical professionals to perform tattooing, Rep. Park Ju-min of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), who chairs the Health and Welfare Committee, expressed his determination to pass the bill.

At a news conference on Wednesday at the National Assembly Communication Center, Park emphasized that the enactment of the Tattoo Artist Act is necessary to legalize tattooing, which has become commonplace, and to ensure its safe management within an institutional framework.

“Approximately 13 million Koreans, or about 30 percent of adults, have experienced tattoos, and there are as many as 300,000 tattoo artists,” Rep. Park said. “Despite this, this country has stigmatized tattoos as illegal, making their proper management impossible.”

The need to legalize tattoos, which have become an integral part of everyday life, and manage them safely within an institutional framework has become increasingly urgent, Park pointed out.

“We will no longer delay the discussion and will swiftly proceed to pass the bill in the 22nd National Assembly,” he said.

The National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee plans to hold a subcommittee meeting next Wednesday to discuss the Tattoo Artist Act. If the bill passes the subcommittee, it is likely to be approved at the Health and Welfare Committee's plenary session scheduled for Aug. 27.

There are currently three bills related to tattooing pending in the National Assembly: the “Tattoo Artist Act” proposed by Rep. Park, the “Act on Tattoo Artists” proposed by Rep. Kang Seon-woo of DPK, and the “Tattoo Artist and Permanent Makeup Artist Act” proposed by Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun of the opposition People Power Party (PPP).

The Tattoo Artist Act was submitted to the Health and Welfare Committee's bill review subcommittee in January, but it was put on hold for further coordination between similar bills and to prepare a comprehensive proposal.

The Tattoo Artist Act has been the subject of active legislative discussions, with six bills proposed in the 21st National Assembly. Both ruling and opposition parties have also emphasized the need for the Tattoo Artist Act in the 22nd National Assembly. If the Ministry of Health and Welfare's consolidated proposal combining the three bills is brought before the Health and Welfare Committee's bill review subcommittee, it could gain momentum for passage.

However, opposition from the medical community to the Tattoo Artist Act is strong. The Korean Medical Association, the Association of Korean Dermatologists, the Association of Korean Medicine, and the Korean Society of Hair Restoration Surgery oppose the legalization of tattoo artists, citing concerns such as side effects, infection risks, and the irreversibility of the procedure.