Meet Jason Moon, first Korean American on Mukilteo council

Moon, 40, was selected Monday by unanimous vote after sharing his views for the city’s future.

Jason Moon, 40, new member of Mukilteo City Council and the first Korean American. He was apppointed to fill the seat vacated by Joe Marine, who was elected mayor. (Submitted photo)

Jason Moon, 40, new member of Mukilteo City Council and the first Korean American. He was apppointed to fill the seat vacated by Joe Marine, who was elected mayor. (Submitted photo)

MUKILTEO — The city has its first Korean American council member.

Jason Moon, 40, was selected unanimously Monday by the six-member Mukilteo City Council to fill the seat vacated by Mayor Joe Marine.

Moon, who has never held political office, spoke like a polished politician about the waterfront, budget, housing, growth and food. He’d obviously done his homework.

“I’ll promise to put the people first before politics,” he told the council.

The news of his appointment went beyond the city limits.

“In less than 30 minutes I got a call from one of the Korean newspapers,” Moon said Tuesday. “It’s a really tight community, eager to have representation.”

Moon and his wife pinched pennies to buy a house in Mukilteo in 2016 to raise their two sons, he said. He is a customer success account manager at Microsoft, with a resume that includes Amazon, a nonprofit, a bank and the Office of Education in South Korea. His parents, owners of a small dry cleaning business in Lynnwood for 30 years, moved to Mukilteo in 2020.

His interest in the Mukilteo council seat was sparked while serving on the city’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission.

“Since I can speak Korean, I’d reach out to the Korean community in Korean,” Moon said at the meeting. “Partnering with people of different languages is also key.”

When asked at the meeting how his closest friends would describe him, Moon said, “I’m the guy to call when they’re hungry.”

Sharing meals builds relationships, he said.

“My favorite form of engagement is food.”

He also enjoys waterfront activities.

“Fishing, crabbing, kayaking, scuba diving, free diving and beach combing,” he said. “My kids love going on the beach, picking up rocks, throwing rocks and looking for crabs.”

His Zoom background for Monday’s meeting was of the ferry terminal.

Despite his apparent razor-sharp poise, “My hands were super sweaty,” he said Tuesday. “I am going in humbly, learning as much as I can, and ultimately being a voice for the people.”

The last appointed seat was filled in 2020 by Louis Harris, the city’s first Black councilmember. He was elected to the council in 2021.

Other finalists interviewed Monday were Carolyn “Dode” Carlson and Alex Crocco, both of whom ran in 2021, and Donald Saul.

Ten people applied for the council seat. Those not making it to the final round were Kevin Stoltz, Peter Zieve, Ashvin Sanghvi, Joleen Sims, Sharon Swann and Theodore “Ted” Wheeler.

Councilmember Riaz Kahn told the applicants, “Please don’t give up.”

Khan was elected to council on his fifth run for various public offices.

“You’ve got a council meeting coming up soon,” Marine told Moon. “Your Mondays are now full, sir.”

Andrea Brown: abrown@heraldnet.com; 425-339-3443. Twitter @reporterbrown.

Talk to us

More in Local News

News logo for use with stories about Mill Creek in Snohomish County, WA.
Mill Creek house fire leaves 1 dead

The fire was contained to a garage in the 15300 block of 25th Drive SE. A person was found dead inside.

Firefighters respond to a house fire Wednesday morning in the 3400 block of Broadway. (Everett Fire Department)
3 hospitalized in critical condition after Everett house fire

Firefighters rescued two people, one of whom uses a wheelchair, from the burning home in the 3400 block of Broadway.

The Walmart Store on 11400 Highway 99 on March 21, 2023 in in Everett, Washington. The retail giant will close the store on April 21, 2023. (Janice Podsada / The Herald)
Walmart announces Everett store on Highway 99 will close on April 21

The Arkansas-based retail giant said the 20-year-old Walmart location was “underperforming financially.”

Michael Tolley (Northshore School District)
Michael Tolley named new Northshore School District leader

Tolley, interim superintendent since last summer, is expected to inherit the position permanently in July.

Logo for news use, for stories regarding Washington state government — Olympia, the Legislature and state agencies. No caption necessary. 20220331
New forecast show state revenues won’t be quite as robust as expected

Democratic budget writers say they will be cautious but able to fund their priorities. Senate put out a capital budget Monday.

Everett Memorial Stadium and Funko Field on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Drive to build new AquaSox ballpark gets $7.4M boost from state

The proposed Senate capital budget contains critical seed money for the city-led project likely to get matched by the House.

Dr. J. Matthew Lacy, Chief Medical Examiner for Snohomish County, answers preliminary questions from the state regarding his qualifications and experience as a medical examiner during the trial of Richard Rotter on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
At Rotter trial, debate breaks out over graphic autopsy photos

A judge ruled some close-ups of Everett officer Dan Rocha’s injuries could be used, while others were ruled out.

Alderwood Middle High School Wednesday afternoon on December 8, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Student, 14, accused of attacking Lynnwood middle school teacher

The alleged assault occurred after lunch at Alderwood Middle School, according to the Edmonds School District.

A residential home is demolished at what will be the site of a new Lake Stevens Library on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Sophia Gates / The Herald).
Site clearing begins for new Lake Stevens library

The initial work on Chapel Hill property brings dream of a new library closer to reality.

Most Read