Sister of Korean Air's Nut-Rage Heiress Faces Charges Over “Water Bottle Rage”

Another heiress of Korean Air is in hot water for inappropriate behavior. South Korean police have officially charged Korean Air executive Cho Hyun Min for the so-called "water bottle rage."

The physical assault charges stemmed from reports that Cho violently threw tantrums during an official business meeting. If the court finds Cho guilty of physical assault, she could face jail time. It can be recalled that her sister, Hyun Ah, was found guilty in a South Korean court of obstructing aviation safety. She was given a twelve-month prison sentence for the "nut rage" incident in 2014. She spent three months in jail.

The "water bottle rage" controversy involving Cho Hyun Min started when an audio recording of a business meeting in March between her and an advertising agency manager was shared online. Cho reportedly verbally assaulted the ad agency manager. But more than the ranting, reports indicate that Cho also threw water and shoved the manager. 

The incident sparks public outrage and a police investigation. Netizens criticized the Cho family for apparent abuse of power. Cho Hyun Min is the daughter of Korean Air chairman and CEO Cho Yang-ho and the sister of Cho Hyun Ah who is infamously known for the "nut-rage" incident. It can be recalled that in 2014, Cho Hyun Ah had an outburst that caused a delay in a flight at John F. Kennedy Airport over the way nuts were served in a first-class flight. She was served macadamia nuts in a bag instead of on a plate.  

In the most recent controversy surrounding the Cho family, witnesses apparently told the police that Hyun Min threw water on several people during the meeting. The authorities also reportedly filed a request for her to be banned from leaving the country.

Korean Air's Exec Cho Hyun Min Apologizes For "Bottle-Rage" Incident

Cho had already issued an apology on Facebook over the incident. She admitted that her actions at the time were "foolish." She said the outburst was sparked because of her passion for her work. Cho is the head of Korea Air's marketing. She also confessed to pushing the manager, but she denied throwing water on anyone.

"I apologize for my foolish behavior. It is my big fault that I could not control my emotions," she said on Facebook.

Korean Air also issued a statement reiterating Cho's statement, saying the heiress did throw water but on the floor and not on a person. Nonetheless, the airline suspended Cho from her duties at the company. It said it will take further action after the police investigation which will determine whether or not Cho threw a cup or a bottle of water on the floor or on the face of the ad agency official.

Meanwhile, Cho and Korea Air could be facing another charge. Arirang News reported that transport ministry officials have said that they also plan to order Korean Air and its subsidiary, Jin Air, to investigate how Cho was registered as an executive of the airline under her American name, Emily Cho, from 2010 to 2016. Under South Korea's Aviation Act, a person who is not a Korean national is forbidden to hold a registered executive position at a national airline. The Ministry has the right to cancel the certificate of any airline that violates the act.