Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has announced plans to enhance language support services, including Korean-language assistance, to support Korean American crime victims better.
During his first interview with a Korean media outlet since taking office, Hochman visited the Korea Daily on February 13, emphasizing the importance of crime reporting and assuring the Korean community that victims will receive full protection. “Victims need to feel protected to come forward and report crimes,” he stated.
Hochman announced that the District Attorney’s Office would expand the number of Korean-language interpreters, providing 16 hours of translation services daily, and called on the Korean community for support in raising awareness.
“The key to victim support is ensuring that they feel comfortable even after reporting a crime,” Hochman said. “I hope the Korean media will play a crucial role in building a supportive environment for victims, which is essential for crime prevention.”
Regarding concerns over federal funding cuts due to the Trump administration’s stance on sanctuary cities, Hochman emphasized the importance of continued collaboration with federal agencies.
“We work closely with federal agencies on issues like drug trafficking and human trafficking. I hope federal support and cooperation will remain intact,” he said. “In fact, I anticipate even more collaboration with the federal government to enhance public safety and crime prevention.”
Addressing controversies from the last district attorney election regarding over-punishment, Hochman outlined his approach to alternative sentencing for non-violent crimes.
“Jail space is limited, and incarcerating every offender is not a sustainable long-term solution,” he said. “For non-violent crimes, such as petty theft or vandalism, offenders should pay their dues through community service, such as cleaning streets or removing graffiti, while reserving prison sentences for severe crimes like murder and rape.”
Commenting on recent protests concerning undocumented immigrants, Hochman expressed support for peaceful demonstrations but warned against illegal actions:
“Protests are a constitutional right and should be protected,” he said. “However, if unlawful violence occurs, we will take strict legal action. I have communicated this position to the Latino community.”
Irene Lee, the newly appointed Asian Pacific American (APA) Special Assistant to the District Attorney, emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue with the Korean community:
“Regular communication with the Korean community is a top priority,” she said. “We expect many Korean Americans to join the soon-to-be-formed District Attorney’s APA Advisory Committee, which will serve as a vital channel for dialogue and collaboration.”
Earlier that day, Hochman held a press conference at the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles (KAFLA) with President Robert Ahn, addressing the crime issues affecting Koreatown residents.
“We will impose harsh prison sentences on organized theft rings targeting residential neighborhoods,” Hochman vowed. “We will also pursue hate crimes as organized criminal activities and ensure that offenders are brought to justice.”
“We will meet with District Attorney Hochman regularly to relay the concerns of the Korean community and push for meaningful results,” Ahn stated.
BY BRIAN CHOI [ichoi@koreadaily.com]
