Aju Business Daily

SEOUL -- Police reportedly launched a preliminary probe into an alleged "water" tantrum thrown by the youngest daughter of Hanjin Group owner Cho Yang-ho at a business meeting with an advertising company amid widespread public fury over her arrogant behavior.

Yonhap News Agency said that investigators in a police station in western Seoul would see whether Korean Air's marketing executive Cho Hyun-min, 35, violated laws by abusing her power. "Regardless of status, Gapjil should be investigated strictly," an unnamed investigator was quoted ass saying.

"Gapjil" means an abuse of power such as mistreatment, arrogant behavior, crude talk, character assassination, and insults.

There have been allegations that Cho Hyun-min who uses her English name Emily yelled and threw water into the face of a manager from an advertising company during a meeting last month. She allegedly lost her temper because she was unhappy with answers to her questions about a commercial.

The advertising firm kept mum, but Korean Air insisted Emily threw a cup of water onto the floor, not toward the face.

As the case fueled public fury, Emily apologized in a Facebook post for her "foolish and imprudent" behavior, which should not be done under any circumstances. "My love for advertising should not have passed beyond consideration and respect for people, but I made a mistake by failing to manage my feelings."

Emily is dogged by a wave of new allegations that she has often abused her position to insult people in Hanjin Group and advertising firms.