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1 killed, 50 injured and 250 stores looted
List of damaged businesses increase daily
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Koreatown bore the brunt of terror and fire, as anger and violence ravaged Los Angeles in the chaotic aftermath of the Rodney King police beating verdict
Within days of madness, thousands of marauders looted and set about 20 fires that destroyed restaurants, an office building and at least three shopping centers.
One Korean American man was killed in the violence, and another was undergoing surgery Friday after being shot in the eye.
About 50 Korean merchants were reported injured, according to Charles Park, president of the Koreatown Crime Task Force.
"We need the National Guard. We need backup now," said Axiom Security Co. supervisor Gilbert Han, who spent Friday manning a 12-car barricade around a swap meet east of Koreatown.
The list of damaged businesses is increasing.
At least 100 Korean owned businesses in South Los Angeles were vandalized, looted or burned the first night, quoted the Community Advisory Council, a coalition voice of Korean community organizations. KFWB radio reported Thursday that 150 Korean stores were attacked in South Los Angeles.
"It's just the tip of the iceberg," Park said. "It'll be a lot more than that."
Meanwhile, the Korea Times estimated that about 190 stores were vandalized and looted in Koreatown. On Friday, Mayor Tom Bradley said that Koreatown is a top priority for National Guard troops.
Reports and rumors swept the city that marauders were targeting Korean stores and Koreatown in retribution for festering grievances, including the probation sentence for Soon Ja Du in the killing of Latasha Harlins.
The rampage did not spare even merchants on good relations with customers. Watts Market owner Chung Lee, the epitome of a good merchant, saw customers loot and bum down his store.
"I worked hard for that store. Now I have nothing," wailed Lee, who had can I go?"
Korean Americans took up arms to defend their businesses. Seven community organizations banded together Friday to form a defense force of...