'Non-medical Personnel Eyebrow Tattoo Procedure'... Guilty Verdict in Nation's First Jury Trial

Sentenced to 1 Year Imprisonment with 2 Years Probation and a Fine of 1 Million Won

The court sentenced the defendant guilty in the first nationwide citizen trial held to determine the legality of eyebrow tattoo procedures performed by non-medical personnel.

The Criminal Division 12 of Daegu District Court (Chief Judge Eo Jae-won) accepted the jury's opinion in the citizen trial on the 14th for A, a beauty industry worker indicted for violating the Special Act on the Control of Health Crimes, and sentenced A to one year in prison with a two-year probation and a fine of 1 million won. The court stated the reason for the sentence, saying, "Based on the majority opinion of the jurors, the charges are judged guilty," and "considering that there is no prior criminal record."

A was prosecuted on charges of performing eyebrow tattoo procedures using tattoo devices and pigments on customers at a skin beauty shop in Daegu from September 2020 to May 2023, earning approximately 50 million won in revenue.

At the trial, the prosecution requested a sentence of two years in prison and a fine of 2 million won, considering the defendant's period of eyebrow tattoo procedures and earnings. Among the seven jurors composed of ordinary citizens, four expressed guilty opinions regarding A, while the remaining three expressed not guilty opinions.

Meanwhile, since the Supreme Court ruling in 1992 that regarded tattoo procedures as medical acts, non-medical personnel performing tattoo procedures have been punished as illegal in South Korea. However, from August to December last year, some lower courts such as Cheongju and Busan District Courts issued rulings that conflicted with this.

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