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Korean Merchants Fear Protests Could Lead to Repeat of '92 Riots

Aired August 12, 2000 - 6:02 p.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

LOU WATERS, CNN ANCHOR: With the president and other high- profile visitors headed for town, not to mention thousands of protesters, you can imagine the security that's in force around the Staples Center. But all the planning hasn't eased the fears of some area merchants, who have vivid memories of the past.

Here's CNN's Jennifer Auther.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JENNIFER AUTHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Korean-American merchants took up arms during the 1992 Los Angeles riots, climbing on rooftops to defend their property after police were slow to arrive.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is America! Get out!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

AUTHER: But when fires were extinguished and the smoke had cleared, damage and looting to about 3,000 Korean-owned stores topped $400 million. This is the area known as Koreatown today, just a few miles east of downtown, site of the Democratic National Convention.

DANNY LEE, BUSINESS OWNER: Our restaurant happened because of the riots. There was a shoe store here. Because of the riots, it was burned down and then it made these five stores.

AUTHER: Danny Lee's parents don't speak English. They opened Ma Dang Gook Soo (ph), which means Noodle House, in 1992. The Lees, like so many others in this community, are keenly following news of planned demonstrations during the DNC.

LEE: They're worried about riots and if there's any outbreaks.

AUTHER: So concerned, that this week Korean-American merchants held one in a series of meetings with the Los Angeles Police Department, seeking assurances there won't be a repeat of 1992.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We lost our property, we lost a life, a life. Therefore, we have a right to be concerned. CHARLES KIM, KOREAN-AMERICAN COALITION: When they told us that their policy was not to arrest them but kind of to disperse them, it kind of bothered some of the merchants, because then are they going to push them to residential area or commercial area? Then who gets damaged? The Korean merchants.

AUTHER (on camera): Business owners here say they hope police protection during the DNC can help erase vivid memories of vulnerability during the 1992 riots. And some hope to regain what community leaders say had been complete trust in the police.

(voice-over): No matter what happens, the Lee family will keep working, but they are voicing the wishes of many in their community and beyond.

LEE: Just hope everything goes peaceful, that's all.

AUTHER: Jennifer Auther, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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