Korean-Japanese gets suspended jail term for attacking stewardess

A man assaulted a flight attendant during the flight. Yonhap

By Jung Hae-myoung

A Korean-Japanese man has received a suspended one-year jail term with 80 hours of community service for attacking a stewardess and forcing the plane to turn around.

Busan District Court said the man, 30, had tried to strangle the stewardess, 28, and hit her arm twice, for which she needed two weeks' medical treatment.

He man claimed the stewardess had scratched his hand while storing his luggage and coat.

The attack happened on an Air Busan flight departing from Busan for Osaka, Japan.

The captain returned the plane to Gimhae International Airport, where the man was arrested.

“He had threatened other passengers and did not make any attempt to settle the matter amicably with the victim,” the court said.