“Many tattoo artists think we are not doing illegal things and there is just no law for us.”Song’s prediction could soon become reality. Controversial banIn South Korea, tattoos in the past were associated with gangsters and criminals but have been gradually accepted as a form of self-expression. Lim Bo-ran, leader of the Korea Tattoo Federation, said she urges tattoo artists to appeal financial penalties to higher courts in a bid to step up their fight. Tattoo artists fear that someone might report the illicit nature of their business to officials, forcing them to investigate. Lim said the law would be a welcome development but that it would also burden tattoo artists by putting them under government supervision.