Korean Air 'Nut Rage' Incident: Chairman's Daughter Resigns Amid Scandal
The daughter of Korean Air's chairman resigned from her remaining posts with the carrier Friday and apologized for what global media have dubbed her "nut rage" scandal, The Associated Press reported.
Cho Hyun-ah, who was head of cabin service at the South Korean airline but traveling as a regular passenger, had a plane returned to the gate at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport on Dec. 5 after a flight attendant in first class offered her macadamia nuts in a bag, not on a plate. She ordered the attendant off the flight, which eventually made it to Seoul a few minutes late.
"I sincerely apologize. I'm sorry," the 40-year-old told journalists Friday. She was "gloomy-faced" and spoke "in an almost inaudible, trembling voice," the AP noted. Cho added she would meet the victimized crew member and "apologize sincerely."
After a public outcry about her behavior, Cho on Tuesday had already resigned from Korean Air's catering and in-flight sales business, as well as from its cabin service and hotel business divisions, the company told CNN. Now, she has also given up her role as the carrier's vice president.
Her father, Korean Air chairman Cho Yang-ho, also apologized, saying he had raised his daughter badly and calling her behavior "foolish."
"It's my fault," he said. "As chairman and father, I ask for the public's generous forgiveness."
Korean Air itself likewise issued an apology to inconvenienced passengers but insisted the incident had not compromised the flight's safety.
"Even though it was not an emergency situation, backing up the plane to order an employee to deplane was an excessive act," the airline said. "We will re-educate all our employees to make sure service within the plane meets high standards."
The Chos are part of families known as chaebol who founded the South Korean industrial conglomerates and were once widely respected in the country. Lately, however, the ostentatious wealth, unfettered power and sense of entitlement displayed by some of their members has come under increased scrutiny.
Korean media called Cho Hyun-ah a "princess," adding she was an international embarrassment to her country.
* This is a contributed article and this content does not necessarily represent the views of latinpost.com