II anyone can
make Korea City
a reality, it is
Los Angeles"
architect David
Hyun. Here is
his drawing of
what one of the
city'5 towers
would look like.
At this juncture of the Korea-U.S. Centennial, the "Korea City" project faces rough seas
which refuse to subside, but at the helm is a
Korean American who has performed a miracle for Little Tokyo in Los Angeles.
His dream — and the Korean-Americans' —
is the right stuff whose time has come.
Korea City can become the cutting edge for
real growth of Korean American life in our
adopted country.
Hyun's experience in developing Japanese
Village Plaza in Little Tokyo should guide us
all in buidling this dream city. He succeeded
where two previous Japanese groups had
failed. Village was originally projected for
annual sales of $70 per square foot. It has
achieved over $180 and is higher than all
regional shopping centers in Southern California except one.
In previous years, many Japanese were
ashamed to be identified with Little Tokyo.
Today, Little Tokyo is fast becoming a showcase of Japanese capability.
The projected City is bounded by Vermont
Avenue, Eighth Street, Western Avenue and
Olympic Boulevard.
Listen to our master architect-prophet:
"The Korean community in America needs a
Korea City to serve its trade, commercial,
cultural, religious, educational and other needs
and to showcase the resources and capabilities
of our community in an outstanding marketplace.
"Without a showcase, our heroic efforts to
participate fully in American life are disadvantaged.
"Many Americans see Koreans as second-
class Japanese and are completely unaware of
the great history and ancient culture of Korea.,,
David Hyun, right,  and eldest son David
Kyun Hyun.
"Many Americans are ignorant of Korean
capabilities in trade, commerce, culture and
the historic friendship between Korea and the
United States.
"These Americans can be helped by a
showcase of Korean capabilities.
"There are also large numbers of Americans
who have been to Korea, know of Korean
history, culture and religion. They also need a
Korea City, .a marketplace where Korean
services, merchandise, information on international trade and cultural exchanges may be
easily obtained in a single location."