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Ferguson violence hits local Korean-owned businesses

November 26, 2014

People walk past a collapsed building, where protesters and looters rampaged businesses following the grand jury decision in the fatal shooting of a 18-year-old black teenager Michael Brown, in Ferguson, Mo., on November 25, 2014. (Yonhap)

By Kim Chul-soo

Korean American businesses in Ferguson, Mo., were not spared in the widespread violence and rioting that followed the grand jury’s Monday night decision to acquit a police officer in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager.

Lee Soo-ryong, president of St. Louis’ Korean Beauty Supply Association, said he had called and visited about 100 Korean-owned businesses in town.

At least 10 Korean-owned businesses were damaged by rioters, he said, including a Beauty Town and a Metro PCS that were set on fire.

On Aug. 9, a white police officer, Darren Wilson, shot and killed 18-year-old black teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, a suburb of St. Louis. Heated discussion and tension on race followed for weeks, including violent riots.

The grand jury’s decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson was announced Monday night to more chaos.

According to Lee, Beauty Town had been in recovery after being damaged by rioters spurred to action in August after the initial break of the Michael Brown case.

Korean American Association of St. Louis President Cho Won-gu, as well as representatives of the Beauty Supply Association, have visited local stores to confirm and assess damages, he said.

According to the Associated Press, 61 people in Ferguson were arrested Monday night; 14 were injured.