Ex-Korean Air vice president sentenced to 1-year jail term over "nut rage"

Former vice president of South Korean top flagship carrier Korean Air was sentenced to one year in jail Thursday for violating the aviation safety law in a notorious "nut rage" incident.

Cho Hyun-ah, 41, former vice president of the air carrier and daughter of Chairman Cho Yang-ho, ordered a flight from New York to Incheon, west of the South Korean capital of Seoul, on Dec. 5 last year to return to the gate to expel the head of in-flight service crew after being served macadamia nuts in a bag, not on a plate.

Cho was indicted last month for using violent language and assault on the cabin crew chief and illegally changing the plane's route.

The Seoul Western District Court ruled that she violated the aviation safety law, which stipulates that it is captain who may decide on whether to return to gate for safety reasons or in emergency situations.

The plane moved 17 meters to get the cabin crew chief deplane, resulting in delayed departure for 24 minutes.

The ruling said that it was an act of "trampling" all over human respect and victims are suffering from great pain. But, the court said that it was her first offense and she is regretting her mistakes.

A Korean Air managing director in charge of in-flight service, identified only by surname Yeo, was sentenced to 8 months in prison on charges of destructing evidence.

The internal report on the accident was ordered by Yeo to be deleted to prevent the airline's image from being damaged. The ruling said it was not intended to block prosecutors' investigation into the case.

In South Korea, conglomerates are controlled by a handful of family members who act like a dynast in corporate empires. Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Yang-ho placed her three daughters, including Cho Hyun-ah, in executive posts.