The daughter of a Korean Air executive, Cho Hyun-ah, was charged with violating South Korea's aviation safety laws when she demanded a Korean Air plane to return to the gate and beat the plane's flight attendants.

The Wall Street Journal reports Cho has been charged with assault on a plane, coercion, interference with duty and violating aviation safety laws for delaying and redirecting a flight from New York to Seoul. She has pleaded not guilty except for one of the assault charges.

"An airplane is deemed in flight the moment the door of the plane is closed and starts moving toward the runway. It's clear that she violated the law when she ordered a return," prosecutors said in court.

Cho is the eldest daughter of Korean Air chairman Cho Yang-ho and began this scandal, dubbed "nut rage," in December when she verbally and physically attacked a flight attendant who did not serve macadamia nuts properly.

Though she told the court she regretted her harsh treatment of the workers, she said she acted in such a manner because of her devotion to her work and said the cabin crew should have followed the proper procedure when handing out snacks.

However, the flight attendant chief Park Chang-jin testified Cho would not let the plane depart and ordered it to return to the gate even though she could see the plane was already in motion, according to the Chosun Ilbo. He also commented on her treatment of staff.

"The owner family forces workers to sacrifice themselves like slaves in feudal times. She infringed on my right to work and my dignity," Park said.

Cho apologized for her actions, but her lawyers deny she knew the plane was moving. She pled not guilty to abusing Park. She did admit to shoving the female flight attendant who served her the nuts.

According to the Korea Herald, a representative of the Hanjin Group, which owns Korean Air, said Park would not face any repercussions for his testimony; but, Park said neither Cho nor her father have apologized.

Prosecutors have also charged a Korean Air executive, Yeo Woon-jin, for attempting to destroy evidence and threatening Park in an attempt to minimize the case's impact. A Transport Ministry employee, who worked for Korean Air previously, was also charged with leaking information of the investigation to Yeo.

They face two years in prison. Cho faces three years in prison if convicted.

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