▲ This undated file photo shows tattooing exercises by nonmedical professionals. (Yonhap)

Supreme Court-tattooing

Supreme Court sets new precedent against criminalizing tattooing

SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- The Supreme Court on Thursday reversed a lower court ruling that criminalized tattooing by nonmedical professionals, setting a new legal precedent ahead of the legalization of the practice next year.

In a full bench ruling, the court remanded the cases of two people who had been fined in both the first and second trials for giving tattoos in violation of the Medical Act, with instructions consistent with an acquittal.

Under a 1992 Supreme Court ruling that classified tattooing as a medical act, nonmedical tattooists had until now faced potential criminal punishment for practicing the body art.

Thursday's decision not only set a new legal precedent but also came before the Tattooist Act passed by the National Assembly last year takes effect in October 2027, legalizing tattooing by nonmedical professionals.

"Tattooing was practiced widely even before medical professionals with specialized medical knowledge emerged," the top court said. "Successful tattooing does not require a level of medical knowledge and experience comparable to that of medical professionals."

The court noted, however, that the ruling does not "completely deny" the possibility of criminal punishment or regulation in the event an act of tattooing violates conditions stipulated in the criminal law or public hygiene law.

(END)

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]