Editing 1992 Los Angeles riots (section)

===Tensions toward Koreans===
{{See also|Killing of Latasha Harlins|African American–Korean American relations}}

In the year before the riots, 1991, there was growing resentment and violence between the African American and [[Korean American]] communities.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-la-riots-unity-meeting-20170429-story.html?_amp=true|title=25 years after racial tensions erupted, black and Korean communities reflect on L.A. riots|access-date=June 28, 2020|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=April 29, 2017|first1=Sarah|last1=Parvini|first2=Victoria|last2=Kim}}</ref> Racial tensions had been simmering for years between these groups. In 1989, the release of [[Spike Lee]]'s film ''[[Do the Right Thing]]'' highlighted urban tensions between white people, black people, and Koreans over racism and economic inequality.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/aug/02/do-the-right-thing-review-spike-lee|title=Do the Right Thing review – Spike Lee's towering, timeless tour de force|work=[[The Guardian]]|first=Peter|last=Bradshaw|date=August 2, 2019|access-date=June 28, 2020}}</ref> Many Korean shopkeepers were upset because they suspected shoplifting from their black customers and neighbors. Many black customers were angry because they routinely felt disrespected and humiliated by Korean store owners. Neither group fully understood the extent of the cultural differences and language barriers, which further fueled tensions.<ref>{{cite news|title=When LA Erupted In Anger: A Look Back At The Rodney King Riots|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/04/26/524744989/when-la-erupted-in-anger-a-look-back-at-the-rodney-king-riots|access-date=2020-12-05|website=NPR|date=April 26, 2017|language=en|last1=Sastry|first1=Anjuli|last2=Bates|first2=Karen Grigsby}}</ref>

On March 16, 1991, a year before the Los Angeles riots, storekeeper Soon Ja Du shot and killed black ninth-grader [[Killing of Latasha Harlins|Latasha Harlins]] after a physical altercation. Du was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and the jury recommended the maximum sentence of 16 years, but the judge, [[Joyce Karlin]], decided against prison time and sentenced Du to five years of probation, 400 hours of community service, and a $500 fine instead.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2012/04/27/151524921/how-koreatown-rose-from-the-ashes-of-l-a-riots |title=How Koreatown Rose From The Ashes Of L.A. Riots |publisher=NPR |date=April 27, 2012 |access-date=May 3, 2014}}</ref> Relations between the African American and Korean communities significantly worsened after this, and the former became increasingly mistrustful of the criminal justice system.<ref>{{cite web| title = When LA Erupted In Anger: A Look Back At The Rodney King Riots| publisher = [[National Public Radio]]| date = April 26, 2017| url = https://www.npr.org/2017/04/26/524744989/when-la-erupted-in-anger-a-look-back-at-the-rodney-king-riots}}</ref> A state appeals court later unanimously upheld Judge Karlin's sentencing decision in April 1992, a week before the riots.<ref>[https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?q=Soon+Ja+Du&hl=en&as_sdt=2,21&case=8405426532110531165&scilh=0 People v. Superior Court of Los Angeles County (Du)], 5 Cal. App. 4th 822, 7 Cal.Rptr.2d 177 (1992), from [[Google Scholar]]. Retrieved on September 14, 2012.</ref>

The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' reported on several other significant incidents of violence between the communities at the time:

<blockquote>Other recent incidents involve the tragic events of May 25, 1991, where two employees at a liquor store near 35th Street and Central Avenue were shot. Both victims, who had recently immigrated from Korea, lost their lives after complying with the demands of a robber described by the police as an African American. Additionally, last Thursday, an African American man suspected of committing a robbery in an auto parts store on Manchester Avenue was fatally injured by his accomplice. The incident occurred when his accomplice accidentally discharged a shotgun round during a struggle with the Korean American owner of the shop. "This violence is deeply unsettling," stated store owner Park. "But sadly, who speaks up for these victims?"<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-18-me-837-story.html |title=Boycott of Store Where Man Was Killed Is Urged : Racial tensions: The African American was slain while allegedly trying to rob the market owned by a Korean American |first1=Rick |last1=Holguin |first2=John H. |last2=Lee |date=June 18, 1991 |access-date=May 30, 2020 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref></blockquote>