ROOFTOP KOREANS

In 1992, during the LA riots triggered by the Rodney King verdict, a group known as the Rooftop Koreans emerged. This group was made up of Korean business owners in Los Angeles, where a large Korean community had settled in search of better opportunities in the 70s and 80s. Many of them owned stores in crime heavy neighborhoods. As the riots turned violent, the Korean community, already feeling threatened by crime, organized to defend their businesses.

Korean radio stations called for volunteers, and armed defenders took to rooftops to protect their shops from looters, since the police were largely ineffective in maintaining order during the chaos.

The government eventually sent in the National Guard to restore peace, but the damage was significant, with many Korean-owned businesses destroyed or looted.

Photographer - Hyungwon Kang