Korean Air under investigation

Police search Korean Air in Seoul to collect evidence of Cho Hyun-min's alleged assault on an advertising company official Thursday. Yonhap

By Kim Hyun-bin

Police searched the headquarters of Korean Air Thursday, as part of the probe into Cho Hyun-min, who allegedly assaulted an advertising company worker during a meeting.

Six police officers went to the airline's office to confiscate evidence related to the case, police said.

Cho Hyun-min, the youngest daughter of Korean Air Chairman Cho Yang-ho, is accused of yelling and throwing a cup of water in the face of the manager of HS AD, an ad agency.

Cho has denied the allegation saying she only pushed the manager.

The police plan to confiscate Cho's smartphone through her lawyer, and could start questioning her next week.

A travel ban has been issued against her.

Strengthened investigation

The police searched Cho's office to find if there was any evidence of a cover up of the incident or to appease the victim or the ad firm.

A day earlier, they went to the ad company and secured smartphone recordings of people that took part in the meeting.

“No one mentioned the scope of the search,” an official from Korean Air said.

“We plan to counter accordingly as the investigation progresses.”

Cho allegedly threw water in the face of the ad company executive, but police believe she could have thrown a cup. If so, she could be charged with aggravated assault.

The Korea Customs Service (KCS) have also started looking into the Cho family, whether they have evaded paying taxes on luxury products they bought overseas.

The KCS has currently obtained the overseas credit card transactions of Cho Yang-ho, and his wife and three children ― Cho Hyun-ah, Hyun-min and Won-tae.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is also trying to find out whether Cho Hyun-min illegally served as a board member of Hanjin's low-cost carrier Jin Air. She is a U.S. citizen.

Cho held the position for six years. Under the aviation security law, foreigners are not allowed to be on the board of directors of a flag carrier.