Korean Air's CEO has apologized for what he said were the "foolish” actions of his daughter, an airline executive who delayed a flight because she was not happy with the way she was served macadamia nuts.
At a news conference Friday, Cho Yang-ho bowed in a traditional gesture of deep remorse, saying he should have done a better job raising his daughter.
"I am sincerely apologizing for my daughter's foolish behavior. I am asking for the public's generous forgiveness as head of Korean Air and father of Cho Hyun-ah," he said, adding he expected a reprimand. "… It's my fault."
Cho Hyun-ah became angry while traveling last Friday after a flight attendant in first class offered her nuts in a packet instead of on a plate. The 40-year-old, who was head of the airline’s cabin service, forced the aircraft to return to the gate and kicked the attendant off the plane. The flight was delayed by 20 minutes.
The case has prompted widespread outrage in South Korea and forced Cho from all her posts, including as vice president of the family-run airline.
A distraught-looking Cho offered her own emotional apology Friday, telling reporters in a barely audible voice that she is "sincerely" sorry for her actions.
Following complaints from a civil society group, South Korean authorities have started an investigation into whether Korean Air violated any aviation safety laws.
