The new Los Angeles City Council leadership is President Pro Tempore Joe Buscaino, 15th District, President Nury Martinez, 6th District, and Assistant President Pro Tempore David Ryu, 4th District. (photo courtesy of Council President Nury Martinez’s Twitter account)

On Jan. 14, during the first meeting of the Los Angeles City Council led by Council President Nury Martinez, 6th District, City Councilman David Ryu, 4th District, was named assistant president pro tempore of the City Council, the third-highest rank in City Council. Ryu, who led a presentation for Korean American Day during the meeting, is the first Korean American and first Asian American to serve on City Council leadership.

“It is a great privilege to join Council President Nury Martinez and Council President Pro Tempore Joe Buscaino in leading this new City Council,” Ryu said. “The history of this moment is not lost on me. To be the first Asian American in this leadership role, and to serve under our City Council’s first Latina president, is an incredible honor – and reflects just how far our city has come. I look forward to partnering with Council President Martinez on delivering on a working families agenda and building a Los Angeles that lifts up all its people.”

On Twitter, Martinez said as a “child of the working poor,” she is “creating a #familiesfirst agenda to ensure every child has the opportunity to make the most of our city’s many gifts.”

“Right now, in LA, there are families that are doing everything right, yet it is not enough,” Martinez said. “Our #familiesfirst agenda is a call to action to lead, to be courageous and to act with urgency. We want children, women and families to be able to fulfill their dreams.”