By Nicole Scott, NDG Contributing Writer
America is often referred to as a melting pot because of its widespread diversity of cultures and ethnicities, however we don’t always see that diversity represented in politics, especially as it relates to Asian Americans. Boston and Philadelphia are but two of the few cities listed outside of California that have elected council members of Korean descent. On May 10, Young Sung hopes to make history, becoming a member of this elite group.
Sung, a court interpreter and mediator is running for Place 2 on Carrollton’s City Council. If he is victorious, he will become the city’s first Korean-American elected to public office. But that is not his main objective for running. Sung says his motivation for seeking public office is to make an impact on the community and he has a host of ideas on how to accomplish this. A few of his ideas include addressing the landfills in the city, and reducing taxes. However, his primary goal is bringing international business to the city.
A husband and father of two, Sung has been an active member of Carrollton’s community since 1979, excluding his college years. He migrated to the U.S. from South Korea with his parents when he was 11-years old. The proud son of a war veteran and hard worker, Sung knows firsthand what it means to persevere.
“My parents worked two and three jobs, so I and my brother and sisters could have a better life.” A better life is what Sung says he has achieved.
“I am living the American Dream,” something Sung says he wants for all of Carrollton’s residents, especially those who are most disenfranchised. As the offspring of parents who were born under Japanese occupation and part of a marginalized community Sung personally identifies with those who are voiceless.
The city of Carrollton is home to around 18,000 Koreans and the number is steadily growing. One trip down Old Denton Road and a visit to the renowned Super H Mart clearly reveals how Sung’s candidacy advantageously places him at the perfect intersection of diversity and economic prosperity.
And the timing could not be better thanks to the U.S. Korea Free Trade Agreement, which many organizations throughout the state have been taking advantage of. In 2012, Texas businesses exported more than $5 billion in goods to Korea and equally imported as many goods from the Asian country.
Sung has aspirations of bringing much of that revenue to the city of Carrollton. Recruiting international business to the city is one of his major platform goals.
Sung received his BA in Management from Maryville College in Tennessee. He received his MBA from Letourneau University in Longview, TX.
He is a member of the Korean Chamber of Commerce and a member and deacon at the Korean United Central Methodist Church.
The Korean Chamber of Commerce has endorsed him, as well as, the Korean Society of Dallas.
Sung is one of six candidates competing for the city council seat.
Early voting begins Monday, April 28 and ends on Friday, May 2.
