Tattooing is an ancient tradition in many cultures around the world, but the art form comes with a lot of controversy. In East Asia, tattooing has been a sensitive issue for centuries, but now cultural changes are clashing with old ideas and lawmakers are trying to make sense of it all.
South Korea is a very interesting case study, featuring all the elements of a modern society grappling with tradition and new ways of being in the world. Tattoos in South Korea are on the rise, but there’s a lot more behind the scenes than the statistics suggest.
Let’s take a look at the past and present of South Korea’s unique tattoo culture and understand today’s legal situation for the younger generation.
History of Korean Tattoos
When you think of South Korea, you might think of strict tattoo laws and a history of overall disdain for the art form. But a closer look at the past reveals a more complicated picture. So let’s take a look back at key periods in Korean history and see how things have changed to get to the present day.
Ancient beginnings
Like many cultures at their roots, permanent body art in Korea began as a respected and established art form. Long before modern borders were established, tribal confederations throughout the country tattooed their warriors, hunters, and fishermen as a form of magical protection against monsters and other enemies.
This brings up an interesting conundrum about tattoos in general, because there are many similar stories found in other historical records: tattoos generally began as a way to symbolize strength and provide protection in the spiritual realm, but as more organized governments and civilizations formed, these things were lost or overlooked.
The people and the land remain the same, but the influence of culture, religion and other social orders have changed how people view tattoos, tattooed people, and countless other aspects of life.
Three Kingdoms Period
With the establishment of the Goryeo Dynasty in the early 900s, Korean tattooing began to change significantly from its tribal origins.
This trend coincides with the increasing centralization of power in the region following the rise of the Three Kingdoms, which divided the peninsula more or less evenly. In fact, the name Korea is derived from “Goryeo” and has stood the test of time for over a thousand years.
The new society brought agriculture and growth, but also stricter laws and the introduction of a Confucian worldview with strict morality. On the one hand, peace and prosperity pushed Korea towards modernization, but on the other, tattoos were relegated to the fringes of society, seen as a mark of criminals, gangsters, and other lower-class people.
This view of tattooing remained deeply rooted in Korean culture even after the dynasty collapsed and new forms of government emerged.
Contemporary Korean Culture
Today’s Korean society is a mix of old, new and futuristic. South Korea enjoys a safe, secure and technologically advanced lifestyle and has finally broken through cultural barriers to claim its place on the global pop culture stage.
This rapid modernization has led to a growing interest in tattoos, with an increasing percentage of young Koreans wanting to get them. Even some K-Pop stars have tattoos, although they must be covered up to appear on Korean television.
This has put tattooing in Korea at an interesting crossroads, with an older generation rooted in tradition clashing with younger generations who are passionate about tattooing and other art forms.
Much of the attitude towards tattoos in South Korea is not supported by law, but rather by social norms and pressures that have been established for hundreds of years. It is only recently that South Korea has begun to reassess its attitude towards tattoos, although many people still consider them taboo from a traditional perspective.
For example, it is not uncommon for tattoos to be banned in spas, gyms and pools across South Korea, and people wear rash guards or sleeves to cover their tattoos. Media and advertisers avoid showing images of tattoos, but some argue that tattoos still indicate poor morals or ignorance.
While this has not stopped thousands of young people, both in South Korea and abroad, from finally getting tattoos, tensions still exist in everyday life between tattooed and non-tattooed Koreans.
South Korea’s latest tattoo laws
It may be hard to imagine a culture with such a stark contrast between tattoo enthusiasm and traditional attitudes, but a look at the legal situation regarding tattoos in South Korea makes the situation easier to understand.
Tattoos are not completely illegal in South Korea, and it is not illegal to have a tattoo. Certain establishments and institutions reserve the right to ask patrons to cover their tattoos, but there are no legal penalties for flaunting your tattoos in public.
With that in mind, South Korea’s tattoo laws are strange, to say the least. Here’s what we know and how things are changing.
1992 Law
The Sixth Republic was established in the early 1990s, stabilizing democracy and implementing a new legal code, but tattoos remained unpopular and laws were passed stating that a medical license was required to perform tattoos.
That’s right. In South Korea, only licensed doctors are allowed to tattoo, and this law is still in effect. It may be hard to believe for Westerners, but this is the law of the land, and it still stands, despite the country’s recent cultural evolution.
2015 Review
As South Korea rapidly transformed into an economic powerhouse, cultural attitudes have changed rapidly, especially when it comes to tattoos. In 2015, a series of arrests and the exodus of many tattoo artists led lawmakers to come together to rethink how tattoos should be viewed in a legal context.
But lawmakers put the debate on hold for several years, as tattoos became increasingly popular across the country and a number of high-profile lawsuits emerged.
Supreme Court 2022
South Korea was finally due to review its longstanding rules on tattoos in 2022, but the legal changes were rejected before they could move forward.
The Constitutional Court ruled that tattooing by artists without a medical license remains illegal, sparking heavy criticism from tattoo associations and young people across the country. The law stipulates that tattooing is a medical procedure and can only be performed by medical professionals. Likewise, tattoo studios and tattoo parlours must meet medical standards.
Such laws would require future tattoo artists to study and spend more time, limiting their ability to create their art. Japan is also considering similar laws for Japanese tattoo artists.
It may still be a few years before South Korean lawmakers reconsider their rules on tattoos, but for now, artists and patrons will likely continue to find workarounds to stay safe.
How Koreans are getting tattoos now
Speaking of workarounds, how on earth do Korean tattoo artists stay in business, evading the law and tattooing other Korean citizens and tourists every day?
Here’s what tattooing is like in Korea today and some tips to consider if you’re planning a tattoo tourism trip to Korea.
Underground Tattoo
Although fines and arrests are sometimes issued, most tattoo artists in South Korea can operate safely without facing overwhelming pressure from the police. Tattoo artists must keep a low profile when interacting with clients and keep their information private.
Thankfully, South Korea’s thousands of independent tattoo shops operate in relative safety, despite the requirement to keep the process secret.
Tattoo artists in medical settings
Some tattoo artists infiltrate doctors’ offices to hide from the authorities. Doctors have the right to tattoo, but few have the skill or will to do so.
So some doctors are taking extra safeguards and secretly hiring professional tattoo artists to do the work in their clinics. There’s still a risk, but some clinics are happy to take it.
International travel
Korea is home to a ton of talented tattoo artists, so many Koreans are happy to take the risk and get inked locally, but some prefer to travel to countries like the US or Europe to get a slightly less stressful tattoo.
Meanwhile, tourists from the United States often travel to South Korea to get tattooed, despite the risks involved. This resonates with the rebellious nature of tattooing in general, with some willing to pay top dollar for the experience.
If you decide to travel to get a tattoo, be sure to bring the proper equipment to care for your new tattoo, no matter where in the world you are.
The future of tattoos in Korea
Tattoos in Korea started out as a tradition but quickly became taboo before resurfacing in modern times. It’s had a turbulent history, but we’re sure to see a lot of great tattoos coming out of Korea in the future.
In the meantime, keep an eye on up-and-coming Korean tattoo artists who are leading the way with technical precision and artistry, and check out this article for more Korean tattoo design ideas.
source:
Changing attitudes towards tattoos in Korea | KEI
Tattoos in East Asia: Adapting to Individualism | University of Puget Sound
South Korea approves law criminalizing tattoos | CBC
