KOREATOWN : Officers, Citizens Honored at Banquet

At a recent awards banquet, the Koreatown Assn. of Los Angeles honored two police officers, a minister and a local orchestra for their contributions to the community.

Sgt. Ronald D. Batesole, community relations officer at the Police Department’s Wilshire Division, was recognized at the May 28 event as Koreatown’s Police Officer of the Year for his efforts to improve relations between the department and the Korean-American community. A special appreciation award was presented to Detective Ben Kwon for his work with the Koreatown Crime Investigation Unit.

The Rev. Hee Seong Bahk, president of the Korean Harvest Mission, was recognized as Koreatown’s Man of the Year. Bahk publishes a monthly magazine for Koreans around the world and is host of a local radio call-in program that fields questions from youths, senior citizens and recent immigrants.

A Goodwill Ambassador Award was presented to the Los Angeles Seoul Chorale and Sinfonia Orchestra for its musical performances and efforts to improve relations among the city’s ethnic communities. The 66-member chorale and orchestra was founded in 1974 and is directed by Chan Yong Lee; Dong Hyun Lee is the conductor.