Chris Nam, left, and Gab Jea Cho on top of the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles building in Koreatown. Cho, a Federation board member who is in charge of the community security project, fears that the crime issue could make Koreatown a less attractive place for South Koreans to invest in and visit. Nam is the President of the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles. (Richard Hartog / LAT)
A group of young women chat while waiting for their cars after dinner at the Chapman Plaza in Koreatown. Wilshire Boulevard and Sixth Street have become Koreatowns main commercial cores, boasting Korean banks, night spots, restaurants and beauty treatment establishments near longtime L.A. landmarks like the Wiltern Theater and Wilshire Boulevard Temple. (Béatrice de Géa / LAT)
Patrons stop to buy some tacos next to a food stand on 8th and Irolo Streets. Koreatown is bounded on the east and west by Vermont and Western avenues, and on the north and south by Beverly and Olympic boulevards. (Béatrice de Géa / LAT)
Life a the corner of 8th and Irolo Streets in Koreatown. In response to rising crime in the area, the Korean American Federation will begin citizen security patrols weekend nights in the district, using a patrol car purchased by the community organization. (Béatrice de Géa / LAT)
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“Why did you go into this kind of business,” cries Young Cho as she falls to the floor during her sons funeral and is helped her back to her seat. Jae Woong Cho, who managed an eatery in Koreatown, was killed along with two others last month. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Eunice Cho and her daughter Faith Cho attend funeral for her ex-husband, Jae Woong Cho, who was shot to death at an eatery on 8th Street in Koreatown. (Francine Orr / LAT)
Family and friends pay their respects at the funeral for Jae Woong Cho. (Francine Orr / LAT)