Korean Air chief's daughter gets 1-year jail term in 'nut rage' case

Photographers and video journalists attempt to get images of a bus transporting Cho Hyun-ah, also known as Heather Cho, daughter of chairman of Korean Air Lines, Cho Yang-ho, through the windows of the Seoul Western District Prosecutor's office in Seoul February 12, 2015. Cho, the former head of in-flight service, is on trial, in what has popularly become known as the "nut rage" case, for breaking aviation laws and conspiring with other company executives to force crew members lie about the Dec 5 incident. [Photo/Agencies]

SEOUL - 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.

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.