Tattoos Allowed for Police Recruitment... Decision Based on Content and Exposure

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Regulations will be improved to allow individuals with tattoos to become police officers, provided the tattoos do not cause discomfort to others and are not visible outside of clothing.

The National Police Agency announced on the 23rd that it has issued an administrative notice regarding the improvement of the "Physical Examination Standards for Police Officer Recruitment," which includes these changes.

Until now, the police have judged the appropriateness of tattoos based on "motivation for the tattoo, meaning, and size," but with this improvement, the related regulations will be revised to focus on "content and visibility."

Specifically, tattoos will be permitted if their content does not damage the image of police officers, such as violent or aggressive themes, or content that disparages or expresses hatred toward certain races, religions, nationalities, or political beliefs. Regarding visibility, if tattoos are not visible externally when wearing the uniform, candidates are expected to pass the physical examination.

The National Police Agency plans to collect opinions until the 3rd of next month and, after review by the Police Commission, apply the new standards starting next year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.