Koreatown council representation: WCKNC chair urges LA seat

Bill Robinson, chair of the Wilshire Center-Koreatown Neighborhood Council (WCKNC), was re-elected last month and said in an interview on Aug 15, that Koreatown council representation needs a dedicated Los Angeles City Council seat to strengthen the community’s voice. The WCKNC allows delegates to discuss local issues and deliver residents’ concerns to city government, and Robinson emphasized that the council serves as a megaphone for the community even when residents cannot meet officials directly.

Currently, Koreatown is split among three districts represented by Heather Hutt (District 10), Katy Yaroslavsky (District 5), and Hugo Soto-Martínez (District 13). Robinson said, “Koreatown needs a dedicated city council member.” He pointed out that Chicago, with a smaller population than LA, has 50 council members, while LA has only 15. A proposal is under discussion to expand to 25 seats, and Robinson said the change could allow Koreatown, with its population of 130,000, to finally elect a dedicated representative if Korean Americans participate actively.

Robinson identified quality of life as the key reason for this push. Despite being a central and densely populated part of LA, Koreatown lacks green space. He cited the Pio Pico Library Park, now under reconstruction, as inadequate in size. He warned that weak representation also leads to insufficient budget allocation. Referring to the quimby fee (a park fee on new apartment construction), Robinson noted that in the past seven to eight years, 1,649 units were built near 8th Street between Vermont and Western avenues, generating more than $14.5 million in fees. Yet no new parks were created, and some funds were diverted to Mid-City. He said the WCKNC will pursue a signature campaign to demand transparency in how fees are used and to push for new green spaces.

Public safety was another concern. Robinson said the Olympic Police Station alone cannot cover Koreatown effectively. He suggested following the example of Hancock Park by hiring private security patrols, funded through the Wilshire Center Business Improvement District (BID). The BID collects about $800,000 annually from property owners, and Robinson argued that dedicating $200,000 would allow for hiring private security and adding patrol cars. He added that because the BID board is dominated by non-Koreans, urgent Koreatown issues are not always addressed, making greater Korean American participation essential.

Robinson also spoke about sanitation, noting problems with trash, graffiti, and even human waste on the streets. He proposed installing temporary public restrooms for homeless residents to improve public hygiene and reduce tensions between businesses and unhoused individuals. “When homeless people ask to use restrooms at restaurants and cafes, owners often struggle,” Robinson said. “Temporary restrooms could reduce those conflicts.”

There are 99 neighborhood councils in LA, but the WCKNC is the only one that officially uses the name “Koreatown.” Established in 1999, the council system continues to serve as a bridge between residents and city government. Robinson said Koreatown council representation remains his priority as he begins his new term, with goals of improving funding, safety, and public space for the community.

BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]