Seoul has ended a decades old paradox. Tattooing is now legal for non medical practitioners. The Constitutional Court ruled that the ban violated citizens' right to pursue their profession.
This brings South Korea into line with most of the developed world where body art is regulated rather than prohibited. The shift has been driven by a growing acceptance of tattoos in Korean society and a recognition that the previous law was not reducing demand but merely driving the trade underground. It is a small but significant step.
What does this mean for public health? Rates of infection and poor quality work should drop as artists become licensed professionals. It also reflects a global trend.
Nations from New Zealand to Scotland have been reviewing their stance on body modification. The ink has dried on the legal documents. The skin trade is now legitimate.
For the millions of Koreans with tattoos this is the end of an era of stigma.
