Full-body Tattoos Essential to Be Recognized as a Member
Mass Arrest of Illegal Practitioners... 2.5 Billion Won Collected
Illegal medical practitioners who specialized in providing 'gangster tattoos' to organized crime members and minors were caught in large numbers by the prosecution.
On the 31st, the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office announced that it had indicted a total of 16 people, including Mr. A and Mr. B, without detention on charges of illegally performing gangster tattoos (violation of the Special Act on the Control of Health Crimes) and violations of the Narcotics Control Act.
According to the prosecution, among them, 12 professional practitioners are accused of illegally tattooing gangster tattoos on about 2,000 people, including 128 gangsters from eight organized crime groups such as the International PJ-pa, Chungjang OB-pa, and Mudeungsan-pa, or possessing medical narcotics such as fentanyl at tattoo shops.
During the investigation of a brawl that occurred last year among multiple organized crime groups, the prosecution confirmed that full-body tattoos, known as so-called 'Yakuza tattoos,' are an essential procedure to be recognized as a gang member. Accordingly, they have been investigating to rectify the situation where individuals flaunt their tattoos in public places, creating anxiety and fear.
From October 2014 to February this year, they advertised tattoos on social networking services (SNS) to attract customers and received 2.5 billion KRW from organized crime groups such as the International PJ-pa for gangster tattoo procedures. The cost per person ranged from approximately 2 million to 5 million KRW. It is known that full-body gangster tattoos cost around 10 million KRW.
It was investigated that Mr. A concealed criminal proceeds of about 1.18 billion KRW earned through illegal procedures by purchasing apartments, luxury imported cars, watches, and other items.
Illegal medical practitioners who promoted 'gangster tattoo procedures' on social media have been collectively indicted on charges including professional negligence causing injury and violations of the Health Crime Control Act. [Photo by Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office]
The prosecution confiscated and preserved criminal proceeds worth about 2.5 billion KRW from the 12 professional practitioners, including Mr. A, who were indicted. Mr. B, who was also arrested, is accused of possessing 184 fentanyl patches and 641 oxycodone tablets, narcotics used as painkillers, at tattoo shops from last year to February this year.
Additionally, the prosecution obtained the list of clients from these practitioners and identified new members of violent organizations, indicting them on charges of violating the Act on the Punishment of Violent Crimes, etc. Analysis of the tattoo list by the prosecution revealed that 32 minors received gangster tattoos to join violent organizations, and among them, four actually joined such organizations. Some of these minors even committed crimes such as extortion to raise funds for tattoo procedures.
Based on reports from those who suffered side effects from illegal tattoo procedures, the prosecution launched a forced investigation and secured related evidence through searches and seizures.
A prosecution official stated, "During the investigation, we confirmed that gangster tattoos are an essential condition for joining violent organizations. In particular, we directly launched an investigation to correct the wrong situation where minors easily get gangster tattoos and aspire to join violent organizations." He added, "We will continue to strictly punish groups that collude with violent organizations to commit illegal acts and gain economic benefits."
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