At the Koreatown Senior and Community Center on Friday, rain and gray skies didn’t keep seniors from their usual activities, including the Friday morning dance class. Some were also weighing how they would vote on Tuesday.
It’s especially front of mind for many seniors as Mayor Karen Bass has made repeated visits to Koreatown senior centers in recent months, highlighting her relationship with the Korean American community and her work on issues affecting the neighborhood.
One voter said she planned to work as an election worker; another said she was reviewing the candidates’ records and ballot measures before making up her mind. Regardless of whether Bass or Councilmember Nithya Raman becomes mayor, these Korean American voters know what they want from the person leading the city.
“I wish we get a mayor who would genuinely put in the effort, do their very best for this city for four years, and then leave knowing they had done all they could,” said Jeong In-sook, 79, who lives in Koreatown. “I hope the new mayor will do their very best to improve the city’s cleanliness.”
Bass cast her ballot with her family over the weekend at the Anderson Munger Family YMCA in Koreatown, just the latest sign of the incumbent making her case to Korean American voters.
Though Bass has pointed to her relationships with Korean Americans as part of her record, including efforts to increase Korean representation in city government and expand language access, not all feel that attention has made a difference in their lives. Some appreciate seeing the mayor at community events, while others question whether the visits would lead to changes they could actually feel day-to-day.
Jeong, who has lived in Los Angeles for 30 years, said she has noticed the increased attention to Koreatown but sometimes feels Bass is just making stops in Koreatown because they’re on her campaign schedule.
Jeong’s husband is leaning toward voting for Bass partly because he sees her as someone who is more familiar with and connected to the Korean American community. But Jeong remains frustrated with the condition of the city.
“I don’t think even 10% of what we say will actually make it into policy,” she said about voters like herself.
When Jeong’s family recently visited LA, she said, she felt embarrassed by the heaps of trash left on sidewalks.
“I’ve lived here for 30 years, and Los Angeles is incredibly dirty,” she said. “The mayor needs to know this.”
Jenny Kim, 74, said she has supported Democrats while living in LA and is leaning toward Bass, but is dissatisfied with the city’s response to homelessness. She said promises to address the problem have not led to lasting results. Kim also wants more streetlights, saying many streets are too dark.
“I wish she would do more about those issues. She talks about how much she cares about Korean Americans … but I don’t feel like I’ve personally received any help as a Korean American,” she said.
Raman has also made campaign stops in the area. She held a community conversation and meet-and-greet at the South Asian Network headquarters on Vermont Avenue in Little Bangladesh and walked the neighborhood with residents, stopping at local businesses including Deshi Restaurant and Kastury Restaurant.
She was endorsed by the Korean American Democratic Committee and Korean-language flyers supporting her campaign have been posted around the neighborhood.
Lucia Jung, 72, who lives downtown, had a more positive reaction to Bass’ frequent appearances in the neighborhood. She said previous mayors rarely attended Korean American community events.
“Sometimes I see her at an event and think, ‘Oh, she’s here again?’ Then I see her at another one and think, ‘Oh, she’s back,’” Jung said.
Jung, who says she is not a Democrat, said Bass appears enthusiastic and that she appreciates seeing the mayor take an interest in the community.
Kim Myung-soon, 72, said she wants more support for older adults, particularly those living alone on Social Security or struggling to pay rent. She questioned whether the concerns of lower-income residents in Koreatown are reaching city officials.
“I think people have paid particular attention to Koreatown this time around, but honestly, I don’t think what we’re asking for is being reflected very well at City Hall,” she said.
