Korean Americans’ interest in the Wilshire Center-Koreatown Neighborhood Council (WCKNC), which covers the Koreatown area, remains low.
WCKNC Chair Bill Robinson told Korea Daily on February 12 that 30 candidates have registered for the delegate election scheduled for April 22.
According to the candidate list released by the Los Angeles City Clerk’s Office, only 11 of the candidates, about one-third, are Korean Americans. The candidates include mixed-Korean Robinson himself, Shinsuk Oh, head of Oaklem CPA Group, Jongmin Park, Dream Realty & Investments agent, and Jongtae Kim, a CPA.
The sections with the highest number of Korean American candidates were the Business (4 out of 6) and At-Large (4 out of 7) categories. However, no Korean candidates registered for the Community Organization section or the Sub-District 1, 2, and 3 seats.
WCKNC requires more attention from the Korean American community. As a local self-governing body overseeing Koreatown, it serves as a bridge between the city of Los Angeles, the City Council, and local residents. It addresses key issues such as homelessness, public safety, and public transportation. The council plays a crucial role in driving policy changes that directly impact daily life.
Chair Robinson stated, “WCKNC is an influential organization capable of bringing real change to Koreatown,” adding, “Although more participation and interest from the Korean community are needed, the current situation is disappointing.”
Previously, on January 29, the LA Department of Neighborhood Empowerment announced that this election would select 26 delegates, covering the following categories: Community Organization (7 seats), Business (7 seats), At-Large (4 seats), Sub-District (7 seats), and Youth (1 seat).
However, some categories are experiencing a shortage of candidates. Specifically, the Community Organization, Business, and Sub-District 4 categories each lack one candidate.
Regarding this, Robinson explained, “We will proceed with the election using the currently registered candidates to form the new WCKNC. Afterward, we will fill the vacant delegate seats through a special election.”
Unlike the general election, where residents of the WCKNC jurisdiction vote, the special election will be conducted internally, with the newly elected delegates voting to fill the vacancies.
Meanwhile, some candidates are pending due to incomplete registration. In the At-Large category, three of the nine non-Korean candidates are currently on hold due to missing documents or failing to meet eligibility requirements.
Robinson noted, “A candidate’s registration can be put on hold if they fail to submit all necessary documents or meet eligibility requirements,” adding, “Their registration could eventually be canceled if they fail to address these issues.”
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
