[SPOTLIGHT] “Bring the Korean Community’s Voice to the Heart of City Hall”:  Michael Song Runs for Carrollton City Council

[photo by TexasN] Michael Song Runs for Carrollton City Council Place 4 (At-large)

[CARROLLTON = TexasN] In the heart of Carrollton, a city widely regarded as the economic engine of the North Texas Korean community, a new generation of leadership is emerging. Michael Song (Korean name Song Ho-seok, 38), a professional developer and father of two, has officially announced his candidacy for the Carrollton City Council, Place 4 (At-large).

Born in 1988—the year of the Seoul Olympics—Song is a “Double Dragon” (a symbolic birth year in Korean culture) who moved to the U.S. at age ten. With a background in chemical engineering from UT Austin and years of experience managing multi-million dollar global energy projects, Song is now pivoting toward “civic service” to build a legacy his children can be proud of.

Song’s resume is as diverse as the city he seeks to represent. Before settling in Dallas in 2018, he traveled the world—from Ulsan and Geoje Island in South Korea to Shanghai, China—overseeing complex projects for global oil giants. Transitioning into real estate development, he later managed the construction of apartments, hotels, and retail centers, gaining an intimate understanding of how cities are built from the ground up.

“Working in development, I spent a lot of time communicating with city officials,” Song says. “I realized that while the Korean community contributes immensely to Carrollton’s growth through taxes and business, many residents are disconnected from the very services those taxes fund.”

He points to practical examples: city-funded incentives for energy-efficient window replacements and sidewalk repairs that many first-generation immigrants miss out on due to language barriers and a lack of information. “City websites offer Spanish and Vietnamese, but not Korean, despite our significant population. I want to bridge that gap.”

As a candidate for an At-large seat, Song must appeal to the entire city, not just a specific district. While the city’s demographics have shifted—white residents now make up roughly 50% of the population compared to 70% in decades past—voter turnout remains dominated by the legacy demographic.

“Representation should reflect the actual population,” Song argues. “When a major business like H-E-B considers coming to town, or when economic development policies are drafted, we need someone at the table who understands the nuances of our community. Having one voice out of seven on the council isn’t just about a percentage; it’s about providing a logical, informed perspective from within the room where decisions are made.”

Song describes his leadership style as “personable yet precise.” While he is a strategist by trade, he views the role of a council member as a “civic volunteer” rather than a career politician. “I love my career in development; I’m not doing this to change my job. I’m doing this to serve.”

With the election scheduled for May 2nd, Song is shifting his campaign into high gear. His strategy involves a “boots-on-the-ground” approach, knocking on doors to listen to residents’ concerns rather than simply asking for votes.

To address the historically low voter turnout among minorities, Song plans to host voter registration drives in March at local landmarks like H-Mart and Zion Market.

“The U.S. is often called a melting pot, but I prefer the image of a ‘weaving basket,'” Song says. “Each strand—Korean, Hispanic, Vietnamese, Caucasian—retains its distinct color and strength. When we weave them together, the final product is beautiful and resilient. I want to make sure the Korean community is one of those strong, vibrant strands in the Carrollton basket.”

As the only Korean-American candidate currently in the race, Song’s campaign represents a significant test for the next Generation leadership in Texas. Win or lose, his goal remains clear: ensuring that every resident, regardless of their native tongue, has a channel to the city they call home.

Catherine Wahrmund  amiangs0210@gmail.com