"Got a Tattoo Wrong" Announcer Assaulted Hospital Staff... Fined Again in Second Trial

Claimed Unlicensed Medical Practice but Fined
Confessed and Deposited to Reduce Fine Amount

An announcer who assaulted hospital staff, claiming that an eyebrow tattoo procedure was done incorrectly, was sentenced to a fine again in the appellate court.

According to the court on the 1st, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Appeal Division 5-1 (Presiding Judges Gu Gwang-hyun, Choi Tae-young, Jeong Deok-su) on the 25th of last month sentenced announcer A, who was indicted on charges of obstruction of business and assault, to a fine of 500,000 won, reduced by 1,000,000 won from the first trial.

Photo by Yonhap News

A is known as a freelance announcer. In June 2021, after receiving an eyebrow tattoo at a hospital located in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, A assaulted staff member B, claiming “the eyebrows were uneven,” and caused a loud disturbance, obstructing the hospital’s operations. During this incident, A pushed B with both hands and kicked B’s leg once, according to the investigation.

Due to A’s rampage, other customers reportedly could not receive medical treatment for about 50 minutes.

The first trial sentenced A to 1,500,000 won, but A appealed. A argued, “The eyebrow tattoo procedure was performed by a nurse assistant, not a doctor,” and “Unlicensed medical practice is not a protected business under the crime of obstruction of business.”

Even if working at a hospital, if a non-medical professional such as a tattoo artist or nurse assistant performs procedures like eyebrow tattoos, it is illegal as unlicensed medical practice. A emphasized this point.

However, the appellate court ruled that even if unlicensed medical practice was performed, it is still subject to protection under the crime of obstruction of business. The court judged that it cannot be concluded that all procedures, including dermatological treatments A received besides the eyebrow tattoo, were unlicensed medical practices.

It also stated, “It is reasonable to see that the defendant (A) exercised power through verbal abuse and insults to many people in a public place beyond just legitimate protest.”

The court explained that the fine amount was reduced because the defendant confessed to the assault and deposited 2,000,000 won to the assault victim.

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