LYNNWOOD—Scores of residents gathered at Master Cho’s Black Belt Academy to celebrate the historic campaign launch of Lynnwood City Council Position 2 Candidate Ki Seung Cho—a 9th degree Taekwondo black belt (Grand Master), 30-year local businessmen, and 34-year Lynnwood resident—who, if elected, would be the first Korean American (and first member of the Asian diaspora) elected to the Lynnwood City Council. His campaign raised an astonishing $17,300 during Saturday’s kickoff eclipsing his opponent’s total reported campaign contributions, as of August 22, of $9,208.
“During nearly 30 years of living in Lynnwood, I discovered a new dream, to give back to the community that gave me so much. That dream brings me here today, running for the Lynnwood City Council,” Cho told supporters.
His “Protect what matters, Build what’s next” campaign has three priorities: public safety, economic growth, and fiscal responsibility.
“I will work with local businesses to provide resources and create an effective violence prevention program,” said Cho before stressing his commitment to supporting economic opportunities for Lynnwood’s diverse population, “As a small business owner, I know how important it is to support local, family-owned, and minority-owned businesses.”
Cho, the successful owner of Master Cho’s Black Belt Academy, for over 30 years has mentored thousands of young men and women in both physical and mental discipline to develop at their “own pace” to achieve “personal victory.”
“I have had the honor of serving thousands of families…. With your help and support, we can make our city safer, stronger, and better prepared for the future,” said Cho. “Together, we can protect one another and build what’s next; so that the next 30 years will give us a community we can proudly call home.”
Having manage his own business has provided him 30-years of experience in spending “wisely” to “make every dollar count.”
“I will bring that discipline to city council to make sure taxpayer dollars go directly to community needs. I love this city,” Cho emphasized.
Noted speakers at Saturday’s launch were Mukilteo City Councilman Jason Moon, Snohomish County PUD Commissioner and former Lynnwood City Council Vice President Julieta Altamirano-Crosby, Lake Haven Water and Sewer District Commissioner Leonard Englund, Greater Seattle Korean Association President Won Jun Kim, Washington State Korean American Day Celebration Foundation Chairman Joseph Hong, and two fellow Lynnwood City Council candidates, just to name a few.
A common theme by all who spoke were integrity, humility, modesty, selfless volunteerism for both the youth and elderly, and “the ability to show up and get the job done.”
“Master Cho has guided generations of youth — teaching not just discipline and strength, but also values like respect, perseverance, and community spirit,” said Commissioner Altamirano-Crosby. “That lifelong commitment to empowering young people is exactly the kind of leadership Lynnwood needs. Our Korean community is the second-largest in Lynnwood, and an essential part of who we are. Master Cho not only represents this community with pride, but he has also built lasting bridges across cultures and generations.”
Cho played a key role in establishing the official Sister City partnership between Lynnwood and Damyang, South Korea, “a vision that brought our city new opportunities for cultural exchange, friendship, and global connection,” Altamirano-Crosby shared.
On February 22, 2016, the City of Damyang, South Korea was officially approved as the Sister City to the City of Lynnwood. Prior to the pandemic, high school students from both cities participated in cultural exchanges.
In 2022, Cho was appointed as president of the Korean Sports Association of Washington state and served as the director of the Taekwondo Association in Washington State. Cho was a long-term member of the American Taekwondo Association, served as auditor of the Korean Taekwondo Association in America and was President of the Seattle Washington Korean Association.
Cho was one of 8 applicants selected to fill the 2024 vacancy on the Lynnwood City Council of Shirley Sutton, who resigned in protest to the fiscal management of the City. Councilwoman Derica Escamilla, in July 2024, received the majority of votes by the council to fill the vacant seat.
Prior to immigrating to the United States to state a new life, Cho completed military service in the Army for Republic of Korea in February of 1986. He holds a Master of Arts degree after studying at Songwon and Chosun Universities and is an internationally ranked Taekwondo Grand Master in World Taekwondo — an achievement of which there are currently less than 50 in the world.
Ki Seung Cho is endorsed by Victoria Woodards, Mayor of Tacoma, Dr. Julieta Altamirano-Crosby, Snohomish County PUD Commissioner and former Lynnwood City Council Vice President, Patrick Decker, Lynnwood City Councilman, Jason Moon, Mukilteo City Councilman, Shannon Sessions, Former Lynnwood Council President, and more.
Author: Mario Lotmore
3 Responses
okay, the following opinion by me is not knowing anything about this guy — but it doesn’t matter since the article is focused on him being a Taekwondo master.
From my experience, Taekwondo is a gimmick. I had my daughter in a class and all but begged for help to get her DEFENSE training, especially after she was jumped by some ghetto scum at Wild Waves. Ever after weeks of bugging him, asking what gear to get for her to practice at home,,etc, all the “master” was focused on was keeping the students in the monthly session$. six months in and she was doing dumb slow-motion moves in an almost retarded karate kid shtick, but without the awesome payout. I finally took her out and months later was listening to a Joe Rogan podcast (no I am not a fan or MAGA) where he described being higher-up in Taekwondo in high school (black belt) and how it was like a cult. how you have to call the teacher “master” and how they get their students to do work for free (bopth of these rang true at my daugheters’s class).
anyhow, I am sure Cho is good guy and wish him luck.
Cho is a great, loving guy…and a pillar in our community. He will be perfect for the City of Lynnwood! I know this having served 28 years as a councilmember. My recommendation to our community is to vote for Cho. He will do great!
I personally Grand Master Cho and can attest to his caring and dedication to help anyone he meets. He is a fantastic gentleman with a moral background that can benefit the Lynwood community.