Lee Hyo-jin covers the Bank of Korea, the banking industry and broader financial news. Her previous beats include foreign affairs, North Korea and general reporting on Korean society.
Seoul eyes LA unrest as Korean community’s worries grow
Police clear a barricaded street during a protest against federal immigration sweeps in downtown Los Angeles, Calif., Sunday (local time). Reuters-Yonhap
By Lee Hyo-jin
Intensifying protests in Korean-populated neighborhoods unnerve residents
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Monday that it is closely monitoring ongoing protests in Los Angeles over a sweeping immigration crackdown, amid concerns about potential impacts on Korean nationals in the area.
Although no injuries or arrests involving Korean citizens have been reported through its diplomatic missions, the ministry urged Korean nationals to remain vigilant and exercise caution.
"We are closely monitoring the situation and maintaining active communication with the Korean community in the area," a ministry official said.
"We have issued a safety notice urging Korean nationals to remain vigilant, and we will promptly provide consular assistance in the event of detention or harm," the official added.
The ministry's response comes as protests escalated in Los Angeles following large-scale federal immigration raids that began Friday. U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to the city Saturday — a rare activation of state forces without the consent of the governor.
According to media reports, tensions have flared between demonstrators and law enforcement officers in riot gear who have used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse what authorities called unlawful assemblies.
Los Angeles is home to approximately 300,000 Korean immigrants and Korean Americans, making it the largest Korean community in the United States.
Activists display signs during protests sparked by immigration raids in Los Angeles, Sunday (local time). EPA-Yonhap
Several Korean-owned businesses have reportedly suffered damage during the immigration raids, which affected neighborhoods with a high concentration of Korean residents.
The Korean American Federation of Los Angeles, a nonprofit organization supporting Korean nationals there, condemned the actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), calling them unilateral and lacking due process.
"Individuals with limited English proficiency or without proper documentation were reportedly detained on the spot, leading to widespread confusion and distress among residents, including Korean nationals," the organization said in a statement issued Friday. The group urged local lawmakers to respond swiftly to the situation.
The Korean Consulate General in Los Angeles issued a public advisory Sunday, urging Korean residents and travelers to stay informed and avoid high-risk areas. It also warned of reports that some individuals disguised as protesters may attempt to loot businesses, advising those in immediate danger to call 911.
Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, a Democrat representing California’s 37th congressional district, where many Korean Americans reside, said she is closely monitoring the situation.
“I am closely monitoring the ICE raids that are currently happening across Los Angeles, including at a Korean American-owned store in my district,” she wrote on X, formerly Twitter, Saturday.
Police clash with demonstrators who barricaded a street during a protest against federal immigration sweeps in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday (local time). Reuters-Yonhap
The latest development comes amid heightened anxiety among Korean nationals in the United States, as the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement since his inauguration in January has already stoked widespread concerns.
The enforcements have reportedly included mass arrests and deportations of undocumented immigrants, the termination of temporary legal protections and the suspension of refugee applications as well as visa interviews.
According to the Korean Consulate General in Los Angeles, four to five Korean nationals have requested consular assistance after being detained by ICE since the beginning of the year. However, officials noted that these were isolated cases unrelated to the recent wave of protests.
This marks a significant increase compared to just one case in the two years before Trump’s second term.
Observers believe the actual number of detained Koreans may be higher, as some individuals tend to decline consular visits.