Koreatown fears unrest during convention

Citizens of Koreatown in Los Angeles have gone on an alert status for possible demonstrations, which could lead to riots, during the upcoming Democratic National Convention 2000 set to begin August 14.

Should the various planned demonstrations during the convention spread like wildfire, many fear that a riot similar to the 1992 Los Angeles riot might erupt. Koreatown, home to many Koreans in the Los Angeles area, is about five minutes away by car from the convention venue, the indoor Staples Center stadium.

South Korean Consul in Los Angeles Kim Young-Bae, along with various outstanding members of the Korean community, visited the Los Angeles Police Department on August 4 and expressed their concern about the potential for social unrest and asked for preventative measures.

The South Korean Consulate has set up an emergency task force with the vice consul at the head and has revealed its plan to request for riot police should social unrest get out of hand.

The Korean Garment Industry Association, as well as other associations in the Garment District of Los Angeles, has installed a communication network at the businesses of their members and has increased the number of private security guards.

The Los Angeles Police Department has revealed that it has installed a direct line for Korean callers and has placed bilingual personnel at the operator center to facilitate communication.