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'Nut Rage' Executive Charged with Violating Aviation Law


Cho Hyun-ah, former vice president of Korean Air Lines, arrives at the Seoul Western District Prosecutors Office in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014.
Cho Hyun-ah, former vice president of Korean Air Lines, arrives at the Seoul Western District Prosecutors Office in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014.

South Korean prosecutors have charged the daughter of the chairman of Korean Air Lines with violating aviation security law and obstructing a government investigation after she caused a so-called "nut rage" incident aboard a flight.

Heather Cho, a former executive and head of in-flight service, was charged Wednesday for the December 5 incident, in which she delayed a flight and demanded the resignation of the chief steward because she was served macadamia nuts in a bag instead of on a plate.

Cho has resigned from the airline and made a public apology. She has been in court custody since December 30, after she was determined to be a flight risk or apt to destroy evidence.

Deputy chief prosecutor Kim Chang-hee told reporters Wednesday that Cho had threatened the plane's safety with her tantrum. Kim also said a current airline employee has been charged with destroying evidence and interfering with the government's investigation. A transportation ministry official was also indicted, for leaking details about the investigation.

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