David Ryu to become 1st Korean American to hold LA council seat

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The Los Angeles City Council will soon have its first ever Korean American council member.

David Ryu won Tuesday's runoff against Carolyn Ramsay for L.A.'s Fourth District, which includes Los Feliz, Griffith Park, Silver Lake, Toluca Lake, Sherman Oaks, Hollywood Hills, Hancock Park and part of Koreatown.

"Call it an upset, whatever name you want to call it, I think the community was heard," Ryu said.

Ryu will replace the termed out Tom LaBonge this summer.

"Yes, we made history today. But at the same time, this is not just about Korean American history ... it's about all of the city of L.A.," Ryu said.

Ryu, a former health center development director, defeated Ramsay, the former chief of staff to LaBonge.

Ramsay was endorsed by the mayor and most current councilmembers.

Voter turnout was around 14 percent. But a Los Angeles Times analysis shows stronger than usual turnout among Asian Americans in places like Koreatown.

"Asian American vote was crucial. But once the numbers come out, I think that wasn't the deciding factor," Ryu said.

In past debates, Ryu vowed to not take developer money and open up the city's books. Now he says he's ready to work.

"It's about moving forward. It's about working with the other councilmembers, working with the mayor," Ryu said.

Ryu officially takes office on July 1.