July 26, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Mayor of Seoul seeks to model Los Angeles in emergency preparedness

 

Park Won-soon visited Los Angeles this past weekend to learn more about the city's plans in cases of emergency disasters. Courtesy Photo
Park Won-soon visited Los Angeles this past weekend to learn more about the city’s plans in cases of emergency disasters. Courtesy Photo

The mayor of South Korea’s capital said in remarks reported today that he wants his city of 10 million people to look to Los Angeles to better deal with crises requiring emergency responses.

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon was in Los Angeles this weekend, looking to tap the city’s expertise on emergency preparedness, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Recalling the April disaster in which a ferry sank off South Korea’s south coast, killing more than 300 people, Park said he wanted to take cues from Los Angeles to ensure his city is better prepared to handle crises, The Times reported.

“Many mistakes and systematic problems were involved in that accident,” Park told The Times in an interview. “As manager of this big metropolitan city, I’m really in charge. I feel a strong sense of responsibility.”

Park said that because of earthquakes, fires and other natural disasters facing the region, Los Angeles is well-positioned to serve as a guide for Seoul.

Park, who began his second term as mayor of South Korea’s capital in July and is often cited as a future presidential contender, visited Los Angeles’ emergency operations center, the Los Angeles Fire Department, Dodger Stadium and the site of Korean Air’s future downtown skyscraper to survey disaster plans, according to The Times.

Los Angeles was the last stop on his whirlwind U.S. tour, which included the United Nations climate summit in New York.

Park met with L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, and they discussed initiatives to increase trade and tourism between the cities. The two mayors will put finishing touches on a memorandum of understanding when Garcetti visits Seoul in November, Park told The Times.

Park also said met with Hollywood producers and directors to court them to film in Seoul, and he cited the shooting of the movie “Avengers: Age of Ultron” in his city earlier this year, The Times reported. He said officials in his city are in talks with the filmmakers behind the next “Star Trek” movie to film there.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said today it is ready financially support foreign movie production companies that seek filming locations in the capital, The Korea Times reported. It said it will provide up to 100 million won ($95,000) to film productions that film in Seoul for more than six days.

Seoul’s government also will pay for the hotel stay and airline tickets for movie production company executives who visit the South Korean capital with plans to feature it as a location, according to the Korea Times.

On Sunday, the Korea Times reported, Park visited Paramount Pictures studio in Los Angeles to meet Jeffrey Chernov, the producer of “Star Trek,” and Roberto Orci, the director of  “Star Trek 3” which will be screened in 2016.

Related Posts

LAPD to Conduct DUI Checkpoints Across City This Weekend

July 26, 2025

July 26, 2025

LAPD officials said checkpoint locations are chosen based on areas with high numbers of DUI-related crashes and arrests The Los...

Metro D Line Resumes Today After 70-Day Closure

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The shutdown, which began May 17, enabled Metro to connect the current line to newly built tunnels extending west under...

TODAY: Venice Artbeat Celebrates Community and Supports Local Causes

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The event offers live music, dance performances, live art, food, and storytelling Venice Artbeat, a community-focused festival, takes place on...

Sunset Jazz & Pizza Series Returns to The Lobster

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The series blends jazz from a three-piece house band with handcrafted pizzas and $5 Open Brewing beers  The Lobster’s popular...

Los Angeles Marks Milestone in Youth Sports Enrollment

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

A program has surpassed one million enrollments, providing low-cost and, in some cases, free access to youth and adaptive sports ...

LAHSA Appoints New Interim CEO Amid System Transitions

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The agency is navigating uncertainty following the county’s decision to create a separate homelessness department and shifting federal policy priorities...

Venice Chamber Installs New Board at Community Event

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Representatives from multiple levels of government were in attendance The Venice Chamber of Commerce welcomed its newly elected 2025–26 Board...

Measles Case Confirmed in LA, Officials Urge Vaccination

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Investigators are working to identify potential exposures and assess the risk to others Health officials have confirmed a case of...

In Your Time of Need, Woodlawn Cemetery is Available

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

By Susan Payne  For over 125 years, Woodlawn Cemetery, Mausoleum & Mortuary, wholly owned and operated by the city of...

Going for the throat

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Coach Bill Schuman expects protégé Golda Zahra to hold back nothing  By Linda Chase World famous competitors hire special coaches...

Suspect Arrested in Fatal Brentwood Whole Foods Stabbing, Area to See Increased Police Presence

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The suspect, initially described as a man in his early 20s wearing dark clothing, fled the scene on foot.  A...

(Video) Seniors Age with Dignity at Wise & Healthy Aging’s Adult Day Center

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

For More Information, Go To Wiseandhealthyaging.org/ Seniors Age with Dignity at Wise & Healthy Aging’s Adult Day Center. For More...

California Reports 13% Drop in Vehicle Thefts in 2024, First Decline Since 2019

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Southern California accounted for 53.21% of thefts, with Los Angeles County alone representing 61.83% of the region’s total California reported...

LAPD Pacific Boosters’ West LA Summer Carnival Takes Place This Weekend

July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

The carnival will feature amusement rides for all ages, arcade-style games, and traditional fair food The LAPD Pacific Area Boosters...

Venice Ale House is Now the European-Inspired ‘Venice Beach Club’

July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

The menu features items like steak frites, crudo, and house-made pizzas, under the direction of Executive Chef James Samuel A...