Korean, Black Groups Meet on Race Relations

One week after black activists and Korean-American merchants reached a truce in their dispute over the boycott of a South-Central Los Angeles liquor store, two dozen community leaders from both ethnic groups convened on Thursday to discuss ways of improving interracial relations.

The summit marked the first time that a broad spectrum of black and Korean-American leaders have gathered to discuss problems between the two communities, according to City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, who arranged the meeting.

“It was a candid but, I would say, constructive exchange,” said Ridley-Thomas.