(Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Times)

On Tues., May 19, David Ryu made history by becoming the first Korean American to be elected to the Los Angeles City Council. He will also be the second Asian-American to serve in the council, after Mike Woo, who represented District 13 from 1985 to 1993.

Ryu, who will represent District 4, received close to 54% of the votes to win over his opponent, Carolyn Ramsey, incumbent Councilman Tom La Bonge’s chief of staff. Ryu gained the ardent support of voters in and around Koreatown, and led an active door-to-door campaign. As councilman, Ryu hopes to require developers to adhere to zoning rules, and bring development proposals first to the community. At the same time, he plans to make City Hall more responsive to local residents.

Many community leaders are inspired by and optimistic about Ryu’s successful campaign, including KYCC Executive Director Johng Ho Song.

“This is a historic moment,” Song acknowledges. “David is the first Korean American on the City Council, and only the second Asian American. He will be a strong advocate for the API community.”