KB News Desk
A woman’s claim that she was denied entry to a temple in Busan because she had a tattoo of a nude woman has sparked debate over whether religious sites should be allowed to restrict entry based on a visitor’s appearance.
In a Thread post uploaded Sunday, the visitor asked if Haedong Yonggungsa in Gijang-gun, Busan, had an official policy prohibiting people with tattoos from entering its prayer halls.
“I tried to enter one of the temple’s prayer halls on Friday but was stopped at the entrance by a staff member,” the post read.
Initially thinking her shorts were the problem, the woman took off an outer layer and tied it around her waist to cover them. When she asked whether her shorts were the reason she was being turned away, the staff member said both her attire and tattoos were inappropriate.
Photos on her social media account show tattoos covering her neck, arms and thighs, including what appears to be an image of a nude woman on her left thigh.
“The way the staff member stared at my tattoos and motioned for me to leave made me deeply uncomfortable,” the visitor wrote. “I had gone there seeking peace and reflection, but being turned away for a reason I had never expected left me even more distressed.”
She urged the temple to clearly notify visitors of any such restrictions in advance and to explain whether they apply specific criteria based on the number, size or content of their tattoos.
“I am not asking for special treatment because I have tattoos, nor am I asking those who dislike them to change their views,” she further wrote.
“What I am questioning is why I was treated as though I were unworthy of praying simply because of my appearance and tattoos, and what standards the temple uses to deny entry.”
The post drew mixed reactions online, with some arguing that her attire and tattoos were inappropriate for a place of worship.
In Korea, visitors typically may freely explore temple grounds, but those entering its prayer halls must dress modestly, with shorts, sleeveless tops and visible tattoos required to be covered.
