Ryu Ho-jeong Reveals Anecdote: "Hong Joon-pyo with Eyebrow Tattoo Happily Joins Tattoo Industry Act Amendment"

Ryu Ho-jeong Reveals Tattooed Back on the 16th, Demands "Legalize Tattoo Industry"

Ryu Ho-jeong, a Justice Party lawmaker, is holding a press conference on the 16th at the National Assembly, urging the enactment of tattoo legislation together with tattoo artists. On that day, Representative Ryu conducted the press conference with a tattoo sticker drawn by the famous tattoo artist Bami attached to her back.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Ryu Hojung (29), a Justice Party lawmaker, revealed on the 17th the story of personally visiting Hong Junpyo (67), an independent lawmaker, to propose the 'Tattoo Industry Act' aimed at legalizing the tattoo industry.

On the day, Ryu appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Jongdae's News Up' and said, "To propose a bill, you need to gather 10 members. (Besides the 6 from the Justice Party) I thought about how to persuade the remaining four, and realized that there were a few lawmakers in the National Assembly who had eyebrow tattoos," she began.

She said she went to see Hong and directly asked him to sign the bill, saying, "You have eyebrow tattoos." She added, "(Hong) smiled readily, looked over the bill, and sympathized with it," and "Besides Hong, some other lawmakers with eyebrow tattoos also participated."

Hong became a topic of discussion in September 2011 when he got eyebrow tattoos during his tenure as the leader of the Grand National Party (now the People Power Party).

Hong Joon-pyo, Independent Member of Parliament
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Earlier, Ryu attended a press conference urging the enactment of the Tattoo Industry Act in the front yard of the National Assembly, wearing a purple dress that exposed her back. Her back was covered with various tattoo designs.

At the press conference, she said, "Tattoos are a person's appearance and are essentially the same as hair, makeup, fashion, and fitness," adding, "The desire to groom and show oneself is not a trivial vanity but a fundamental right of citizens that the Constitution should protect as freedom of expression."

She continued, "Some have lectured me, saying 'That's not what lawmakers are for,' but that is exactly what lawmakers are for," explaining, "Because the role of lawmaker Ryu Hojung is to be a speaker representing the voices of citizens oppressed by social and cultural prejudices, a punching bag enduring the criticism and condemnation reflected back."

Regarding this, Ryu said, "An artist made the work directly and turned it into stickers. To be precise, tattoo stickers," adding, "Doing this kind of performance is also because the Justice Party has few members and needs to gain a lot of public opinion and sympathy."

She also said, "When I thought about how to inform the public more about the urgent issues concerning their survival without hurting others, even if I might be criticized for 'showing off,' I felt that wearing the clothes once would help spread the message much more."

Furthermore, Ryu pointed out that tattoos are currently 'illegal' under the law, saying, "Tattooists suffer sexual violence, threats, and extortion in the illegal area. Such incidents occur frequently. I thought it would be a good way if I could engrave their works on my body and reveal them with my whole body to raise awareness. The back is the widest place as a sketchbook. That's why I did this (performance)," she explained.