The Korean American Federation of Los Angeles (KAFLA) has issued a strong rebuke against Donald Trump Jr., son of the US president, over a social media post it describes as “mocking the current unrest” in Los Angeles. The post, which included a photograph of an armed man on a rooftop with the message “Make Rooftop Koreans Great Again!”, referred to actions by the Korean American community during the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
The controversy comes as US federal immigration authorities recently conducted a series of coordinated enforcement operations across Los Angeles, including in neighbourhoods with a high concentration of Korean American-owned businesses, such as the fashion district’s “Jobber Market.” These operations have raised significant concerns within the local Korean community.
‘Recklessness’ and ‘Exploitation’ of Trauma
KAFLA condemned Trump Jr.’s post, released on X on Sunday, June 8, stating it showed “recklessness… by mentioning the ‘Rooftop Korean’ from the LA riots 33 years ago.”
The organization highlighted the sensitive timing, as local businesses were already “seriously affected by the crackdown and arrests” from the immigration enforcement actions. KAFLA warned, “As the eldest son of the current president and an influencer with approximately 15 million followers, his actions could pose a huge risk in these icy times, and we strongly urge the past trauma of the Korean people be never, ever exploited for any purpose.”
The term “Rooftop Koreans” emerged from the 1992 unrest, when some members of the Korean American community, feeling unprotected by law enforcement amidst widespread looting following the police beating of Rodney King, took up arms on rooftops to defend their businesses.
Hyungwon Kang, a photojournalist for the Los Angeles Times during the 1992 riots, stated on X that his photograph was used in Trump Jr.’s post without permission and out of context. Kang clarified that the current situation in Los Angeles, marked by “widespread disagreement about an excessive and aggressive enforcement by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, while LAPD is present and keeping the city in order is not even remotely similar to the dire situation for Korean Americans of those dark hours during the 1992 LA Riots.” He is reportedly consulting a lawyer regarding the unauthorized use of his image.
Excuse me. That's my picture that you're using without my permission.
— Hyungwon Kang 강형원기자 (@Kangphoto) June 9, 2025
You're using the photo out of context.
Please take it down.
Immigration Enforcement and Community Concerns
On June 6, federal immigration authorities reportedly arrested 44 individuals during the Los Angeles operation. KAFLA described these actions as “unilateral and heavy-handed,” asserting that they “disregard proper legal procedures.” The organization raised concerns that “Even individuals who struggle with English or are unable to provide identification immediately are reportedly being arrested or detained first.”
Read more: Gemma Chan Urges UK Government on Child Aid Spending Amid Cuts as UNICEF Ambassador
California Democrat Sydney Kamlager-Dove, whose congressional district includes a significant Korean American population, confirmed she was “closely monitoring the ICE raids that are currently happening across Los Angeles, including at a Korean American-owned store in my district.”
Feature image credit: Gage Skidmore
