[Yonhap Photo]
SEOUL -- Shares of South Korea's top flag carrier Korean Air fell Monday despite a series of apologies by the youngest daughter of Hanjin Group patriarch Cho Yang-ho over her alleged "water" tantrum thrown at a business meeting with advertising officials.
Korean Air was down 3.09 percent at 32,900 won (30.7 US dollars) as of 9:30 am (0030 GMT) Monday. The flag carrier posted a 6.55 percent fall last Thursday following news reports that Cho Hyun-min screamed and threw water in the face of an advertising agency official in her office on March 16.
The 35-year-old senior executive who uses her English name Emily allegedly lost her temper because the advertising official did not properly answer her questions. Korean Air insisted she threw a cup of water onto the floor, not toward the face, and Emily apologized in a Facebook post over her "foolish and imprudent" behavior.
The apology was not enough to ease public fury, which was fanned by additional disclosures about Emily's arrogant behavior and insulting remarks at business meetings. She cut short her overseas trip to return home after police launched a preliminary investigation to see if she violated any laws.
"I was foolish. I am sorry," Emily told reporters upon arrival Sunday at an airport west of Seoul, insisting she just "pushed" without throwing water. She later sent an email to Korean Air employees, saying she would not avoid responsibility for her behavior.
"As I focused on my passion for work, I was not able to control rash words and actions which caused many people to be hurt and disappointed," she wrote. "This is totally my mistake and fault. I will fulfill my legal responsibilities and accept any social criticism."
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
