On August 25, a reception was held at the Los Angeles Consul General’s residence to celebrate the appointment of LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell. The event, organized largely by Korean American community leaders, drew more than 200 attendees.
It was a cheerful, convivial evening, full of smiles and laughter. On stage, Youngwan Kim, Consul General of Los Angeles; Ilhan Kang, Vice Chair of the National Unification Advisory Council in the U.S.; Changyeob Lee, Chairman of the Olympic Police Station Support Committee; Sangbong Jung, President of the Korean American Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles; and Alex Cha, President of the Korean Festival Foundation of Los Angeles, each offered congratulatory remarks. Every speech was filled with praise and encouragement.
But something essential was missing. No one voiced the need for the LAPD to do more to address public safety issues in Koreatown or to protect vulnerable corners of the Korean American community. Public sentiment toward the LAPD has tilted negative in recent months. Yet the Korean Americans present seemed oblivious to this mood, offering only flattery in front of McDonnell. Yes, raising uncomfortable points at a reception may not be easy. But if one claims the mantle of community leadership, shouldn’t one still speak up?
The LAPD currently stands accused of unchecked displays of power. In Boyle Heights, Jeremy Flores, a man in his twenties, was shot and killed by officers after he was found with a toy gun in his car. He suffered from mental illness.
Echoes of the Yang Yong Case
The case mirrors all too closely the killing of Yang Yong in May of last year, an incident that shook the Korean American community. What guarantees there won’t be another “second Yang Yong” case? Officer Andres Lopez of the LAPD’s Olympic Station, who fired the shots that killed Yang, received no discipline. He still walks the streets of Koreatown, sidearm loaded. To those gathered at the reception, is this just an inconsequential episode?
The LAPD has even turned its weapons on the press. In June, during protests in Koreatown against immigration enforcement raids, this paper’s own reporter, Sangjin Kim, was struck by rubber bullets fired by LAPD officers and collapsed in the street. Many other journalists were hit while covering the scene. The LAPD is now facing lawsuits from members of the media.
Respecting authority is both common sense and a civic duty. But such respect can only stand on the foundation of mutual respect. Have Korean Americans, as a minority, ever truly received respect from public authority? Who could answer “yes” with confidence? Both the LAPD and the Korean American leaders who present themselves as community representatives must reflect deeply on this question.
As a reporter, I asked Chief McDonnell directly about the controversy surrounding the LAPD’s use of force. He responded, “The LAPD investigates and reviews more thoroughly than any other police department in the country. Cases involving the use of physical force account for less than 2 percent, and shootings or serious cases requiring hospital treatment are under 1 percent.”
It was a textbook defense, but he added a faint note of gratitude for the question. In other words, he signaled that he is ready to discuss even uncomfortable issues.
Yet the Korean American leaders who should have pressed harder offered only words of celebration. To the community, is Chief McDonnell some sort of Korean-style “sato” (a provincial magistrate from Joseon-era Korea)? If all they do is feed him pleasant words, the Korean American community may remain neglected and exposed. Unless we want to end up later with nothing but bitter complaints of self-inflicted misfortune, it is time now to insist on mutual respect and maintain a healthy sense of tension.
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
