Ask a Korean! News: Picture from 1992 LA Riot

Los Angeles Times recently ran a story about the new and improved LAPD. But what attracted the Korean's eyes was this photo accompanying the article.

These are Korean men who were trying to defend Koreatown during the 1992 LA riot. The article said:

Among the most durable and dispiriting images of that era, however, were those of Korean merchants taking to their rooftops in the opening hours of the riots, arming themselves because they were convinced that they were alone, that the LAPD would not be there for them. They were right.

Fortunately, progress has been made:

After an evening at the station, I turned to head out. As I left, the desk officer was patiently counseling three Korean men. Dressed in suits, one of them with a notepad, they had come in with a concern. The officer spoke with them, resolved their question and shook hands all around before they turned to leave. The entire exchange was conducted in Korean.

Not Your 1992 LAPD [Los Angeles Times]

The LA riots predated the Korean, so he really does not know too much about it outside of a couple of documentaries and some news articles. Personal accounts and recommendations for books, etc. are welcome.

-EDIT 8/10/2011- The Korean noticed that this post gets linked out on various message boards every time there is a riot somewhere -- at this time, with respect to the London riot. The link is usually accompanies a statement like how Korean Americans were able to protect themselves with guns during the 1992 LA riot. The Korean will remind you that having guns did not prevent Korean Americans from suffering the heaviest damage as a group in the course of the riot. The Korean's own view of proper gun control is here. The Korean's more detailed view on guns and riot is here.

Got a question or a comment for the Korean? Email away at askakorean@gmail.com.