A tattoo artist diligently crafts a tattoo in their studio located in Seoul, South Korea. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Mar. 9 (Korea Bizwire) –In a significant shift from traditional regulations, the South Korean government is moving towards allowing non-medical professionals to perform tattooing, provided they obtain a national certification.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that it had commissioned a study on the examination for tattoo artists on March 4, in anticipation of legislative proposals concerning tattoos that include national examination regulations.
With an estimated 6.5 million tattoo procedures performed last year by approximately 250,000 tattoo artists, this move is seen as a major step towards formalizing the profession in a country where tattoos have been exclusively considered a medical procedure.
In addition to tattoo regulations, the government has also expanded the scope of tasks that nurses can perform in emergency situations, including administering CPR and emergency drugs, which were previously unclear under the Medical Act and considered part of a doctor’s duties.
This change aims to break the “licensing monopoly” held by doctors and enhance healthcare efficiency.
The government is also addressing the use of medical devices, such as pressure measurement and ultrasound tests, which were restricted to doctors despite being relatively simple procedures that could be performed by trained nurses.
This reform enables nurses to conduct such tests without direct supervision from doctors and addresses the care needs of patients with mobility issues, who make up a small percentage of those receiving home visits from doctors.
Moreover, the government is pushing for hospital operation reforms to redirect walk-in patients with mild conditions away from emergency rooms at advanced general hospitals, focusing these facilities on treating severe and emergency cases.
This approach aims to alleviate the burden on top-tier emergency rooms and improve the treatment of critically ill patients.
In response to the prolonged medical dispute, the government has pledged substantial financial support to the health insurance system, including an injection of 1.28 trillion won from the contingency fund.
Discussions are ongoing regarding the potential repercussions for resident doctors who have withdrawn from their duties, with considerations for varying penalties based on the duration of their absence.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
