Published: September-26-2025, 14:30 EDT

South Korea has taken a landmark step by legalizing tattoo artistry by non-medical professionals, ending more than 30 years of restrictions. The move follows persistent campaigns by tattooists who sought the right to practice openly without the threat of prosecution.

With the passage of the Tattooist Act, the profession will now be regulated, requiring practitioners to obtain licenses and follow national safety standards.

A Shift From Decades of Restriction

For decades, tattooing in South Korea was technically limited to medical professionals. This stemmed from a 1992 Supreme Court ruling that classified tattooing as a medical act. Under that interpretation, artists without medical licenses faced severe penalties, including prison terms of up to five years or fines of as much as 50 million Korean won (about $35,000).

Despite these rules, tattooing thrived underground. Artists often worked discreetly, offering everything from traditional body art to semi-permanent makeup. However, they were vulnerable to legal risks, harassment, or even exploitation, as disgruntled clients could threaten to report them.

Voices From the Tattoo Community

Tattoo artists and industry advocates welcomed the legislative breakthrough. Lim Bo-ran, president of the Korea Tattoo Federation, became emotional during the announcement, saying: “I can’t speak because it feels like a dream. I am truly grateful.”

Cases shared by artists reveal the pressures they faced under the old law. A tattooist known as Narr previously told the BBC she endured harassment from a client but avoided reporting it to police out of fear of prosecution. Another artist, Banul, was reported to authorities by a dissatisfied client who demanded compensation.

According to South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare, there were an estimated 350,000 tattoo artists as of 2021, with most specializing in cosmetic tattoos for eyebrows, lips, and hairlines. Few, however, had formal medical training, highlighting the gap between practice and legal recognition.

Growing Acceptance and Shifting Attitudes

Although tattoos remain controversial in South Korea, societal attitudes have been gradually evolving. In recent years, courts began acquitting some tattooists, signaling a softening stance toward the practice.

Park Ju-min, chairman of the National Assembly’s health and welfare committee and a chief sponsor of the Tattooist Act, emphasized that legalization is about safety as well as recognition. “Citizens will now be able to get tattoos safely, and those engaged in the tattoo industry will be recognized as legal professionals,” he said.

He also pointed out that even within the National Assembly, many lawmakers already had semi-permanent cosmetic tattoos such as lip or eyebrow procedures, underlining how widespread the practice has become.

Concerns From the Medical Community

Not all groups welcomed the change. The Korean Medical Association opposed the measure, insisting that tattooing should remain a medical procedure. In a statement, it warned that tattoos could damage skin, complicate cancer diagnosis, and carry health risks if not properly regulated.

The group argued that the rising popularity of tattoos does not diminish the medical concerns involved. Critics in the medical field remain skeptical about whether non-medical practitioners can guarantee safe and hygienic procedures.

Stigma and Cultural Resistance

Despite legalization, stigma toward tattoos persists in South Korean society. While popular among younger generations and prominent in online influencer culture, tattoos are still often associated with negative stereotypes, including links to gang activity in past decades.

Recent opinion polls indicate that a majority of South Koreans continue to view tattoos unfavorably, though younger respondents are more supportive. Experts believe it may take years for social attitudes to fully normalize the practice, even with the law in place.

Implementation and Licensing Requirements

The Tattooist Act will not take effect immediately. Implementation is scheduled for two years from now, allowing time to set up the licensing system.

Under the new framework, tattoo artists must:

• Pass a national exam.

• Complete safety and hygiene training.

• Maintain detailed client and procedure records.

Laser tattoo removals, however, will remain restricted to licensed medical professionals.

This phased approach, lawmakers say, balances the interests of consumer safety with the recognition of a long-marginalized industry.

A Turning Point for an Emerging Industry

The legalization marks a pivotal moment for South Korea’s tattoo sector, which has operated in a legal gray zone for decades. For artists, it represents not just protection from prosecution, but also the ability to practice openly and build legitimate businesses.

While challenges remain—including cultural stigma and concerns over safety—the recognition of tattoo artistry as a licensed profession positions South Korea to align more closely with international standards where body art is widely accepted.

As the new law takes effect, both supporters and critics will be watching closely to see how regulation reshapes the industry and influences public perception.

Source: – BBC – South Korea legalises tattooing by non-medical professionals

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More than 70 people in seven states have fallen ill due to a salmonella outbreak traced back to eggs distributed by a California-based company, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed.

On Friday, August Egg Company issued a recall of 1.7 million dozen brown cage-free and brown certified organic eggs sold under various brand names, warning they may be contaminated. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shared the recall notice, urging consumers and businesses to take immediate action.

What You Need to Know About the Outbreak

So far, 79 people have been sickened, and 21 of them have required hospitalization. Thankfully, no deaths have been reported. The affected eggs were sold at restaurants and retailers across Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Washington, and Wyoming.

Some of the stores carrying the recalled eggs include major retailers like Walmart, Save Mart, FoodMaxx, Lucky, Smart & Final, Safeway, Raleys, Food 4 Less, and Ralphs.

Why Salmonella is a Serious Concern

Salmonella infections can cause a range of symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain—even in healthy individuals. For young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems, the infection can lead to severe, sometimes life-threatening complications.

What August Egg Company is Doing About It

In a statement to the FDA, August Egg Company emphasized that it is not currently selling fresh shell eggs. The company has been diverting all eggs to an egg-breaking plant for over 30 days, where eggs are pasteurized to kill any harmful pathogens.

“Our internal food safety team is conducting a stringent review to identify how this happened and to prevent future issues,” the company said. “We are fully committed to correcting this situation and ensuring it never happens again.”

What Should You Do?

If you have eggs from this recall at home or in your business, the CDC advises throwing them away or returning them to the store where you bought them. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to potential salmonella contamination.

Stay tuned for updates as health officials continue to monitor the situation and work to protect public safety.

Source: CNN – Salmonella outbreak linked to eggs sickens dozens of people across 7 states

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Winter brings not only cold weather but also a surge in illnesses like flu, COVID-19, norovirus, and RSV. While complete immunity might be impossible, understanding these illnesses and taking precautions can significantly reduce your risk of falling sick.

Why Do Illnesses Surge in Winter?

Winter months see a rise in viral infections for two main reasons:

1. Indoor Crowding: Spending more time indoors increases exposure to germs.
2. Cold, Dry Air: These conditions weaken the body’s natural defenses, making it easier for viruses to spread.

Symptoms: How to Differentiate Common Winter Illnesses

It can be difficult to tell these illnesses apart due to overlapping symptoms, but here’s a breakdown:

• Norovirus: Causes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain lasting 1–3 days. Spread through food, water, or contaminated surfaces.
• Common Cold: Includes runny nose, congestion, cough, sneezing, sore throat, headaches, and body aches. Lasts less than a week.
• Flu: Symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches come on quickly and may last 3–14 days.
• COVID-19: Can cause fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, and body aches. Symptoms vary in severity.
• RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus): Leads to congestion, coughing, sneezing, wheezing, fever, and appetite loss, lasting 1–2 weeks.

Tips to Protect Yourself from Winter Viruses

1. Prioritize Hand Hygiene

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are unavailable (except for norovirus, where soap is crucial).

2. Clean and Disinfect Surfaces

• For norovirus: Use chlorine bleach solutions or EPA-approved disinfectants.
• For colds and flu: Clean frequently-touched surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, and phones with soap-based cleaning products followed by a sanitizer.
• COVID-19 risk from surfaces is low, but regular cleaning helps maintain hygiene.

3. Avoid Touching Your Face

• Viruses on your hands can enter your body through your eyes, nose, or mouth.

4. Cover Your Mouth and Nose

• Use a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash your hands immediately after.

5. Consider Masking in Crowded Areas

• Wearing an N95 or medical-grade mask can reduce exposure to respiratory viruses.

6. Get Vaccinated

• Flu Vaccine: Recommended annually for everyone 6 months and older.
• COVID-19 Vaccine: Stay up-to-date with the latest booster.
• RSV Vaccine: Available for individuals 60+ and pregnant people.
• No Vaccine for Norovirus or Common Cold: Rely on hygiene and preventive measures.

7. Support Your Immune System

• Rest and get plenty of sleep.
• Stay hydrated and manage stress.

What to Do If You Get Sick

Stay Home

• Avoid spreading illness to others.

Seek Diagnosis

• Test for COVID-19 or flu to determine if antiviral treatments like Paxlovid (for COVID-19) or Tamiflu (for flu) are needed.

Manage Symptoms

• For flu, cold, or COVID-19: Rest, drink fluids, and use over-the-counter medications for fever or aches. Humidifiers can ease congestion.
• For norovirus: Rehydrate with water or electrolyte-rich fluids. Seek medical attention if dehydration symptoms (dry mouth, reduced urination, dizziness) appear.

Final Thoughts

While the winter surge of illnesses may feel inevitable, simple habits like handwashing, vaccination, and maintaining a strong immune system can make a significant difference. Be proactive and protect yourself and others this season!

Source

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