Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has come under criticism for replacing some Asian art works gifted to the city with 2028 Olympics Games flags at City Hall. Leaders from the Japanese and Korean communities accused Bass and other LA officials of being insensitive and disrespectful and are demanding that the artifacts be put back where they were previously displayed outside the mayor’s office. The relics, which include a model of a turtle ship from Busan, South Korea, and a replica of a Mikoshi shrine from Nagoya, Japan, were gifted decades ago to the city.
In June, Bass and the City Council approved the transfer of the artifacts to be displayed at the Los Angeles Convention Center after they are restored. This decision has caused outrage among the Japanese and Korean communities, who believe these items are significant because they are part of Korean and Japanese history and symbolic of LA’s diplomatic relationships with Busan and Nagoya. Local Japanese and Korean leaders held a press conference in Koreatown to express their dissatisfaction with officials moving their cherished items from their original spot.
As tensions rose over the relocation of the artifacts, Mayor Bass defended her decision by stating that she also moved the busts of former Mexican President Benito Juárez and his wife, Margarita, implying that the Korean and Japanese treasures were not targeted for discrimination. The controversy comes as Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Summer Olympics and its first Paralympics. Despite the backlash, Bass remains firm in her decision to replace the Asian art works with symbols of the upcoming Olympics Games.
The dispute over the relocation of the Asian art works has sparked a broader conversation about cultural sensitivity and preservation of historical artifacts. Activists are calling for the artifacts to be returned to their original location outside the mayor’s office, emphasizing their importance as representations of Korean and Japanese heritage and LA’s international relationships. The controversy has highlighted the complexities of balancing cultural heritage with the need to make space for new displays in preparation for the 2028 Olympics.
Mayor Bass and LA officials have faced criticism for their handling of the situation, with accusations of insensitivity and disrespect towards the Japanese and Korean communities. The decision to move the Asian art works to make room for Olympic Games flags has raised questions about the prioritization of sports events over cultural heritage. As tensions continue to simmer, the city of Los Angeles must navigate the delicate balance between honoring its diverse communities and preparing for the upcoming Summer Olympics in 2028.
