 |
As protests against the Trump administration’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants continued for a fourth day in Los Angeles (LA), the Korean American Federation of LA (LA Korean Association) criticized President Donald Trump’s eldest son for posting a photo of Korean American self-defense groups from the 1992 LA riots on social media, calling the act inappropriate. In a statement released on the 9th (local time), the LA Korean Association said, “At a time when unrest in LA has not yet subsided, Donald Trump Jr. recklessly referenced the ‘Rooftop Koreans’ from the 1992 LA riots in a mocking social media post on X.” The statement continued, “As the president’s eldest son and an influencer with about 15 million followers, his actions could pose tremendous risks in this already tense situation.” The association strongly urged, “Do not — under any circumstances — exploit the past trauma of Korean Americans for any purpose.” Donald Trump Jr. had posted an image on X the previous day, believed to be of a Korean man during the LA riots, with the caption “Make Rooftop Koreans Great Again.” The photo showed a man, believed to be Korean, on a rooftop loading a firearm. During the 1992 LA riots, Korean Americans — who were targeted by looters and arsonists — armed themselves and organized self-defense patrols to protect Koreatown. At the time, they became known locally as “Rooftop Koreans.” Kang Hyung-won, a photographer who took the original photo while working for the LA Times, commented on Trump Jr.’s post, saying, “You are using my photo without permission and without context. Please take it down.” Observers suggest that Trump Jr.’s invocation of the Korean American self-defense image is an attempt to justify the Trump administration’s hardline response by evoking memories of the lawlessness during the LA riots 33 years ago. Following President Trump’s order to deploy 2,000 California National Guard troops to LA, references to the LA riots have increased among Republican figures. U.S. media outlets such as the New York Times have pointed out that the current protests against the crackdown on undocumented immigrants are in no way comparable in terms of chaos or crisis to the 1992 LA riots. submitted by /u/Freewhale98 |
Trump’s eldest son invokes ‘Rooftop Koreans’ — LA Korean community responds: “Do not exploit our trauma”
Related Posts
Latest News from Korea
- Samsung Asset retains top rank on Q3 asset league table with $71 bn ETF portfolio
Samsung Asset Management launches the world’s first US metaverse ETF on the Nasdaq in December 2021 South Korea’s asset management industry swelled in the third quarter, buoyed by a rally in domestic equities and surging investor demand for exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Samsung Asset Management Co. is poised to become the country’s first asset manager to surpass 100 trillion won ($71… Read more: Samsung Asset retains top rank on Q3 asset league table with $71 bn ETF portfolio - China’s young consumers drive Korean health supplement boomGinseng and other health food account for a quarter of KT&G’s sales South Korea’s exports of health functional food or health supplements have surged sharply in recent months, fueled by Chinese millennials and Gen Z eager to emulate the looks and lifestyles of K-pop idols. Exports of products such as red ginseng tonics, vitamins and omega-3 capsules reached $43.9 million… Read more: China’s young consumers drive Korean health supplement boom
- Hyundai cuts IONIQ 5 prices in US to deal with end of EV tax subsidyThe Hyundai IONIQ 5 (Courtesy of Hyundai Motor America) Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea’s top automaker, on Wednesday lowered the prices of the IONIQ 5 lineup in the US to as automakers in the world’s third-largest electric vehicle market scrambled to deal with the Trump administration’s elimination of the tax credit benefit of up to $7,500 for EV buyers. Hyundai… Read more: Hyundai cuts IONIQ 5 prices in US to deal with end of EV tax subsidy
- Posco International builds Polish motor core plant; Mexico factory due by year-endPOSCO International holds a ceremony to mark the completion of its Polish drive motor core plant in Brzeg, Opole Region, Poland, on Oct. 1, 2025 POSCO International Corp., the energy and trading unit of South Korea’s steel giant POSCO Holdings Inc., said on Thursday it has inaugurated its first European production base for electric vehicle components in Poland, stepping up… Read more: Posco International builds Polish motor core plant; Mexico factory due by year-end
- Korea’s battery material maker Enchem scraps $143 mn US plant planEnchem’s electrolyte plant in the US state of Georgia (File photo) Enchem Co., a South Korean battery material maker, has scrapped its plan to invest $143 million to build a plant in the US due to the protracted downturn in the world’s third-largest electric vehicle market, industry sources in Seoul said on Wednesday. Enchem, the world’s No. 4 electrolyte manufacturer,… Read more: Korea’s battery material maker Enchem scraps $143 mn US plant plan
Latest Entertainment from Korea
- 82MAJOR’s Bold Fashion Evolution in ESQUIRE Korea October 2025 Pictorial Preview Sets Trends from Runway to StreetPhoto Credits: ESQUIRE Korea. Great M Entertainment “Where vulnerability meets edge, tomorrow’s icons are forged.” 82MAJOR’s pictorial preview for ESQUIRE Korea’s October 2025 issue is less a photoshoot and more a meticulously crafted fashion thesis—dramatized on the bodies of K-pop’s brightest new icons. Where typical editorials might trade in safe homage, this shoot carves out new ground: sculptural tailoring is… Read more: 82MAJOR’s Bold Fashion Evolution in ESQUIRE Korea October 2025 Pictorial Preview Sets Trends from Runway to Street
- MAMAMOO Solar Stuns in SKM Media October 2025 Cover with Elegant Pictorial Blending K-pop Star Power and Fashion EdgePhoto Credits: SKM Media. RBW Entertainment For the October 2025 issue of SKM Media, MAMAMOO’s Solar steps into a world of bold elegance and refined artistry, capturing the balance between confidence and quiet allure. Known for her commanding stage charisma, Solar transforms effortlessly into a modern muse before the camera—her gaze layered with warmth and intention, her posture telling a story… Read more: MAMAMOO Solar Stuns in SKM Media October 2025 Cover with Elegant Pictorial Blending K-pop Star Power and Fashion Edge
- Lee Hyeri Redefines Modern Elegance in Max Mara for Marie Claire Taiwan October 2025 Issue with Effortless Autumn CharismaPhoto Credits: Marie Claire Taiwan. Max Mara Sublime Artist Agency Lee Hyeri unveils a new facet of her effortless sophistication in the October 2025 issue of Marie Claire Taiwan, gracing the cover in Max Mara’s latest collection. The shoot blends cinematic minimalism with rich textural layering, emphasizing soft beige tones, sculptural outerwear, and understated confidence—perfectly aligned with the Italian house’s timeless… Read more: Lee Hyeri Redefines Modern Elegance in Max Mara for Marie Claire Taiwan October 2025 Issue with Effortless Autumn Charisma
- KATSEYE’s Power Play: i-D 375 “The Beta Issue” Digital Covers Reimagine K-Pop Style with Fierce Pictorials and Symbolic VisionPhoto Credits: i-D Magazine. HYBE Geffen Records KATSEYE continues their meteoric rise in global music and fashion with a striking set of pictorials for the i-D 375 “The Beta Issue,” a digital cover that merges youth culture, high style, and innovative editorial vision. The six-member girl group is featured in bold, monochrome ensembles, most notably showcasing sleek black silhouettes that… Read more: KATSEYE’s Power Play: i-D 375 “The Beta Issue” Digital Covers Reimagine K-Pop Style with Fierce Pictorials and Symbolic Vision
- Baby DON’T Cry Stuns in NYLON JAPAN November 2025 Issue Preview with Bold Pictorial and Rising K-Pop Fashion EdgePhoto Credits: NYLON JAPAN. P Nation The highly anticipated November 2025 issue of NYLON JAPAN has set the stage for one of the most intriguing fashion previews this autumn, spotlighting the rising K-pop group Baby DON’T Cry in a dazzling pictorial spread. Exuding both rebellion and refinement, the photos capture the group balancing effortlessly between edgy streetwear and runway-level polish, giving fans… Read more: Baby DON’T Cry Stuns in NYLON JAPAN November 2025 Issue Preview with Bold Pictorial and Rising K-Pop Fashion Edge
Learn People & History of Korea
- The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan CityAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Busan Busan, known as the second largest metropolitan city in South Korea, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The earliest recorded existence of Busan can be traced to the Goryeo Dynasty, where it was referenced as a vital coastal settlement. Its strategic location along the southeastern coast of the Korean Peninsula… Read more: The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan City
- The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political DynamicsIntroduction to Pyongyang Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea, serves as a prominent symbol of the nation’s history and culture. Geographically located on the banks of the Taedong River, in the southwest part of the country, Pyongyang is situated within a strategic area that has historically facilitated trade and cultural exchange. The city’s origins can be traced back to… Read more: The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political Dynamics
- The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and BeyondAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Seoul The city of Seoul, known today as the vibrant capital of South Korea, has ancient roots that trace back to the Three Kingdoms period of Korea, specifically the kingdoms of Baekje and Silla. Evidence suggests that Seoul was originally established as a settlement given its strategic geographical advantages. Nestled within the Han River basin,… Read more: The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and Beyond
- Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3Introduction to Korean Traditional Games Korean traditional games have long been an integral part of the country’s cultural landscape, offering more than mere entertainment. These games, which range from simple children’s pastimes to complex community activities, hold significant cultural significance and often serve as a means of preserving history and promoting social interaction. Rooted in centuries of tradition, these games… Read more: Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3
- Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune TellingIntroduction to Saju Saju, a traditional Korean fortune-telling practice, is an intricate art that seeks to interpret an individual’s fate based on their birth date and time. The term “Saju” translates to “four pillars” in English, referring to the four critical components derived from these time markers: year, month, day, and hour. This method holds significant cultural value within South… Read more: Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune Telling
