For non-Koreans, it’s a destination for authentic Korean cuisine; for immigrants, it’s a home away from home. Los Angeles Koreatown, deeply rooted in the 120-year history of Korean immigration to the U.S., has been a cultural and spiritual foundation for Korean Americans.
However, Koreatown now faces challenges that stand in sharp contrast to its celebrated past. Homelessness, rising crime, and the replacement of Korean-owned businesses with apartment complexes have reshaped the neighborhood. Only through recapitulating the past and analyzing current challenges and making proposals for a reformation, can Koreatown recapture its glorious days.
From Humble Beginnings to a Thriving Community
Koreatown’s history reflects a story of resilience and growth. In the late 1960s, Korean businesses began to cluster around Olympic Boulevard, anchored by the iconic Olympic Market. By the late 1970s, the community expanded along 8th Street, with landmarks like Dong Seo Foods leading the way.
The 1980s marked an economic boom for Koreatown, driven by the rise of Korean financial institutions. Korean-American banks including Global Bank (1981), Hanmi Bank (1982), and Nara Bank (1989) reinvested local capital into the community, spurring development and cementing Koreatown’s role as a financial hub.
The 1990s brought significant hurdles. Economic downturns, the LA riots, and the Northridge earthquake delivered a series of blows to Koreatown. The riots, in particular, devastated businesses and plunged the community into a period of decline.
Yet these challenges became an opportunity for reinvention. Many Korean entrepreneurs began moving away from labor-intensive industries, like liquor stores and laundromats, and toward capital-intensive ventures, such as franchises. This marked a shift toward long-term stability and growth.
Despite the hardships of 9/11 and the global financial crisis, Koreatown experienced significant growth in the 2000s. Real estate developments along Wilshire Boulevard brought new energy to the area. However, the 2007 subprime mortgage crisis and subsequent global financial meltdown tested the community’s resilience again.
By 2012, Koreatown began bouncing back. Low interest rates and economic policies infused the market with much-needed liquidity, revitalizing businesses and real estate. The 2010s ushered in a redevelopment boom, with new construction reshaping the neighborhood.
The COVID-19 pandemic in the early 2020s presented another major challenge. As remote work emptied office buildings, local businesses saw steep declines in foot traffic and revenue. Rising rents, driven by the redevelopment wave, forced many Korean American residents and business owners to relocate away from Koreatown.
Data from the 2020 Census shows that the Korean-American population in Los Angeles grew to 112,886, a 4.3% increase from 2011. However, this is significantly lower than the rate from 2001 to 2010. Residents have cited declining safety, the erosion of Koreatown’s cultural identity, and crumbling infrastructure as key concerns depressing the neighborhood’s growth.
A Path Forward
Koreatown is at a turning point. While its rich history is overshadowed by today’s challenges, there is still an opportunity to address these issues and restore the neighborhood’s unique character. By identifying the root causes and crafting thoughtful solutions, Koreatown can reclaim its status as a vibrant cultural and economic center in Los Angeles.
Strengthening Public Safety:
The Cornerstone for Koreatown’s Future
Over more than 30 years ago, plans were proposed to establish a “substation” in Koreatown—a smaller, localized police station designed to enhance public safety. The idea first emerged in November 1993, driven by inefficiencies in response times and gaps in policing, as the area was divided between the Wilshire and Rampart precincts.
The 1992 Los Angeles riots amplified the urgency for a dedicated police presence, as Koreatown was left largely unprotected during the unrest. Community leaders believed a substation would unify law-enforcement efforts and significantly improve safety in the area.
Today, 31 years later, the community’s perseverance has culminated in the LAPD Olympic Police Station, celebrating its 15th anniversary. Yet, safety concerns remain far from resolved. For Koreatown to thrive as one of Los Angeles’ leading residential and commercial districts, community leaders agree that improving public safety must be a top priority.
Persistent Crime Challenges
James An, former President of the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles, emphasized the importance of public safety in Koreatown’s revitalization. “If safety is not guaranteed, people will stop coming to Koreatown, and it will eventually be forgotten,” An said. He also pointed to the visible increase in drug use near bus stops and metro stations, adding, “Addressing homelessness is essential for improving both public safety and the quality of living.”
Koreatown remains one of LA’s high-crime neighborhoods. Last year, there were nearly 12,000 reported crimes in its jurisdiction, with property crimes and violent offenses particularly prevalent.
However, simply having a police station is no longer sufficient to address the complex challenges of crime. A fresh, multi-faceted approach is necessary to make meaningful progress. Lessons can be drawn from cities like Frisco, Texas, which transformed itself from a high-crime area to one of the safest cities in the U.S. through innovative strategies.
Learning from Frisco
Like Koreatown, Frisco faced a surge in crime due to rapid population growth. The city’s population grew from 30,000 in the early 2000s to 150,000 by 2016, leading to spikes in property crimes, including a 20% increase in car thefts and a 25% rise in home burglaries between 2017 and 2018.
Recognizing the trend, Frisco implemented a comprehensive crime-reduction strategy in 2016 that combined data-driven policing, smart city technology, and robust community engagement programs. While data-driven policing, which uses big data to identify crime hotspots and optimize patrol routes, is already in place at the LAPD Olympic Station, Frisco’s community programs offer valuable insights.
Frisco turned its growing population into an asset through initiatives like the Neighborhood Watch Program, which trained residents to identify and report suspicious activities. The program went beyond encouraging reports; it educated participants on specific signs of criminal behavior, hosted regular meetings for neighbors to share information, and collaborated with police to analyze local crime trends. This fostered a sense of shared responsibility for community safety, leading to an increase in reporting rates.
Another successful initiative was the Home Watch Program, where residents could notify police in advance when leaving their homes for extended periods. Officers increased patrols in those areas, reducing the risk of break-ins. Frisco Police described it as a “collaborative way to enhance safety and provide peace of mind for residents.”
These programs not only strengthened community ties but also lightened the workload for police, improving efficiency and effectiveness. Since Frisco began implementing these strategies in 2020, violent-crime rates have dropped by 15%, and property crimes have decreased by 10%.
Lessons from High Point
One city that successfully halved its violent-crime rate is High Point, North Carolina, once notorious for its drug-related crime. Known as the hub of the nation’s furniture industry, High Point was also infamously dubbed the “City of Drugs” in the 1990s. The West End neighborhood was riddled with drug dealers and crack houses, bearing an eerie resemblance to the growing presence of street drug use and homelessness in Los Angeles Koreatown, downtown, and Skid Row.
In 2003, High Point faced a surge in violent crime. Incidents of murder, rape, robbery, and assault rose from 784 to 867 cases, a more than 10% increase from the previous year. The city had the second-highest violent-crime rate per capita in North Carolina.
Despite relentless arrests, the situation showed no improvement. “We were arresting every criminal we could every month, but nothing changed. Dealers were back on the streets in days,” recalled Marty Sumner, the High Point Police Chief at the time.
Everything changed when High Point adopted the Focused Deterrence Strategy—a bold approach targeting habitual offenders with both stern warnings and pathways to rehabilitation and social reintegration. Offenders were given clear choices: comply with the law and receive support to rebuild their lives, or face expedited trials, stricter probation enforcement, and harsher penalties if they reoffended.
The strategy balanced empathy with strict accountability. Offenders were subjected to psychological pressure, often feeling the weight of law enforcement’s scrutiny. Drug markets quickly dispersed, and the results were staggering: within 100 days, violent crime dropped by 75%. Four years later, it had sustained a 57% reduction.
The strategy proved effective beyond the West End, reducing crime citywide. High Point saw a 42% decrease in violent crime from 1997, when the program began, to 2011.
Implications for Koreatown
Koreatown continues to struggle with public safety for various reasons: a lack of communication between police and residents, understaffing leading to delayed responses, lenient treatment of minor crimes, and limited enforcement in the growing number of homeless encampments.
The collaborative community engagement seen in Frisco, Texas, combined with High Point’s strategic yet firm approach to crime deterrence, may offer the solutions Koreatown urgently needs. By fostering open communication with residents, implementing targeted deterrence programs, and addressing underlying social issues, Koreatown can create a safer, more cohesive community for all its residents and businesses.
Public safety is not just a requirement but a cornerstone for Koreatown’s revitalization. With proven strategies from other cities, Koreatown has the tools to combat crime and secure its future as a thriving neighborhood in Los Angeles.
Uniting to Reclaim Identity: A Vision for Koreatown
James An, former President of the Korean American Federation, grew up in Los Angeles. As a second-generation Korean American, he once felt more comfortable speaking English than Korean. It wasn’t until he became President of the nonprofit two years ago that he gained confidence in using the Korean language. “Do you know the peculiar feeling second- or third-generation Korean Americans, who were born here and don’t speak a word of Korean, experience when they step into Incheon Airport for the first time?” he asked.
This is the essence of an inherent identity—an instinctive connection to one’s roots that transcends words. Reflecting on the 2002 World Cup, An shared, “I lived in the U.S. and only spoke English, but I suddenly found myself wondering, ‘Why am I rooting for Korea?’ It’s because the undeniable identity as Korean flows in my veins.”
For the first generation of Korean immigrants, survival was the priority in the hostile land. Their focus was on making ends meet and ensuring their children wouldn’t inherit the hardships of immigrant life. This desire often translated into encouraging their children to become fluent in English rather than Korean and to integrate into mainstream society. The pursuit of higher education and prestigious careers, such as doctors or lawyers, became a common aspiration for many Korean immigrant families.
Clara Won, Chair of the Korean National Association Memorial Foundation, lamented the lack of communal activities that bridged the generational gap. “We never created a space unique to our people where we could go on outings with our children. As a first-generation immigrant, this is something I feel deeply ashamed of,” she said.
To live up to its name, Koreatown needs a renewed sense of Korean identity and a distinct character that sets it apart. However, achieving this requires a unified community with a clear vision and collective determination. This is possible only through solidarity and a firm commitment to shared goals.
Lessons from Chinatown
The Chinese-American community offers a compelling example of how unity can transform a community.
The original Chinatown in Los Angeles, located about a mile southeast of the current one near Union Station, was demolished to make way for the station’s construction. The Chinese Exclusion Act, in effect from 1882 to 1943, stripped Chinese residents of the right to citizenship and property ownership, further compounding their struggles.
Despite these adversities, the Chinese-American community used their shared history as a foundation for solidarity and growth. Recognizing the importance of preserving and sharing their heritage, the community began collecting artifacts through mobile exhibitions in 1992, which eventually led to the opening of the Chinese American Museum in 2003.
“Even when conflicts arise, our common goal of researching, preserving, and sharing the past brings us together,” said Ellen Endo, the museum’s spokesperson. She added, “New immigrants and tourists who visit the museum feel a deep sense of pride in their roots.”
Today, the Chinese community is spearheading the construction of a memorial to honor the victims of the 1871 Chinese massacre, with $250,000 in funding allocated by the city of Los Angeles.
Reclaiming identity and solidarity isn’t just a cultural endeavor—it’s a vision for a vibrant future where generations are connected by shared purpose and pride. By fostering a strong sense of identity and pride, grounded in shared history and culture, the Korean American community can create a united front to address challenges and preserve Koreatown’s unique character.
The Power of Unity
A united community with a strong sense of identity can lead to transformative changes, as demonstrated by Little Tokyo, just four miles from Koreatown. Amid a wave of redevelopment projects, Little Tokyo has entered a second golden era through a remarkable example of collective action.
In 2012, facing the threat of overdevelopment and a potential loss of its cultural identity, Little Tokyo formed a cross-community coalition. The effort brought together over more than 30 prominent Japanese-American organizations, including the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, and the Japanese American National Museum. Religious institutions, local restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, and markets also joined the initiative.
Over two years, the coalition gathered input from every corner of the community, resulting in a comprehensive 500-page report titled Sustainable Little Tokyo, a blueprint for the next century. The report highlighted key projects, such as the Budokan Recreation Center, which became a symbol of cultural renewal and community solidarity.
Sustainable Little Tokyo identified three remaining government-owned parcels of land in Little Tokyo—on 1st Street, Mangrove Street, and near the Metro Regional Connector station—as critical to preventing uncontrolled development. Rather than opposing development outright, the plan emphasized finding ways to coexist while preserving the community’s identity.
Within less than a decade, the vision began to materialize. In 2020, the Budokan was completed, marking a significant milestone for the project. The $35 million facility, officially named the Terasaki Budokan, was funded by widespread community participation. Wealthy donors stepped up, including the family of the late Dr. Paul Terasaki, a renowned UCLA professor and pioneer of organ-transplant testing, who contributed $3.5 million to the project.
The campaign wasn’t limited to large donations. Elementary school children organized bowling tournaments and raised $9,000. A senior citizen who had lived in the neighborhood for over 50 years contributed $1,000 from her savings before returning to Japan. “Preserving heritage and fostering community spirit comes naturally to Japanese people,” said David Ikegami, President of the Little Tokyo Business Association. “The effort to nurture and preserve Little Tokyo will continue across generations.”
A Threat to Identity
“Sustainability,” today’s culture tells us, is a positive quality, an antidote to the modern throwaway culture. Yet in practice, overdevelopment — “building for the future” — can reflect the fear that Koreatown may shrink in size or lose its identity over time.
Overdevelopment poses a significant threat to minority communities, often erasing cultural identity and character. Koreatown is no exception. According to the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, 40 apartment construction projects have been approved in Koreatown over the past four years, displacing long-standing businesses that once defined the neighborhood.
Little Tokyo faced similar challenges but turned its crisis into an opportunity through a united and forward-thinking approach. Koreatown, too, must confront its current struggles with bold action and a shared vision for the future.
Bridging the Divide: Reconnecting Koreatown
Koreatown, the most densely populated neighborhood in Los Angeles, faces a paradox. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, 114,047 people live within its 2.9-square-mile boundaries from Hoover Street to Western Avenue and Pico Boulevard to Beverly Boulevard.
Yet, despite this density, Koreatown is not a neighborhood bustling with foot traffic or exploration. Instead, it is notorious for housing shortages, frequent incidents of crime, a lack of green spaces, and chronic parking problems. These issues make it unsafe for visitors and diminish the quality of life for residents.
As Koreatown looks ahead to the next generation of the future, addressing these challenges will be essential. One solution proposed by Andmore Partners, a Korean American architectural firm, highlights a critical issue.
A Fragmented Koreatown
Koreatown is well-connected east to west along major thoroughfares such as Wilshire Boulevard, 6th Street, and Olympic Boulevard. However, the same cannot be said for its north-south links. Discussing Koreatown, streets like 8th Street and James M. Wood Boulevard often go unmentioned, serving primarily as residential zones rather than active commercial areas. A thriving urban area requires a balance between residential and commercial spaces, yet Koreatown’s population remains separated by its disconnected infrastructure.
The revival of Koreatown hinges on reinvigorating its commercial spaces. According to Andmore Partners, the key to this revival is to make Koreatown more walkable—a neighborhood where people want to stroll and explore.
Andmore’s analysis shows that each major street in Koreatown has its own distinct identity. Wilshire Boulevard serves as the business hub, 6th Street as the commercial district, and 8th Street as a residential area.
The problem is that these areas are not well-integrated, and pedestrians have little incentive to cross between them. To address this, creating designs that encourage seamless pedestrian movement across these zones is crucial.
Andmore Partners has proposed three key projects to reshape Koreatown: redevelopment of the Korean Consulate General site, revamping the BCD Tofu House property, and reimagining the Liberty Park on Wilshire Boulevard.
Both the consulate and BCD Tofu House site redevelopment plans incorporate open designs, allowing pedestrians to move freely through the spaces. These buildings feature diagonal pathways connecting Wilshire Boulevard and 6th Street, breaking up the rigid grid structure of Koreatown with walkways that add a sense of exploration.
The Liberty Park design focuses on addressing Koreatown’s critical lack of green space. The plan includes elevated walkways above the streets, providing both green areas and community spaces. By creating a multi-level design, the project maintains green space while incorporating pedestrian-friendly pathways.
Koreatown risks becoming overrun by unchecked redevelopment, ultimately losing its role as a foundation for the Korean-American community.
Andmore stresses the need to bridge existing disconnections. “When people walk more, the city becomes connected,” they said. Andmore also highlighted the ripple effects of increased foot traffic. “Places bustling with people make it harder for homelessness to take hold. A walkable neighborhood naturally fosters improvements in other areas.”
A Vision for Connection
Reconnecting Koreatown’s infrastructure isn’t just about urban design; it’s about restoring the vibrancy and identity of the community. By prioritizing walkability, green spaces, and integrated developments, Koreatown might again transform into a thriving, sustainable neighborhood that supports its residents and attracts visitors.
BY MOOYOUNG LEE, HOONSIK WOO [lee.mooyoung@koreadaily.com, woo.hoonsik@koreadaily.com]
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SANGJIN KIM [kim.sangjin@koreadaily.com]
