By Kang Seung-woo
The wife of the Korean Air chief attended a court hearing Monday to await a decision on her detention on charges of alleged abuse of power.
On the same day, her eldest daughter reported to the customs office in Incheon for questioning over suspected smuggling and tax evasion.
Their appearances are the latest blow to the nation's largest airline with Chairman Cho Yang-ho and his family members being plagued by a series of allegations of lawbreaking.
Lee Myung-hee, 69, reported to the Seoul Central District Court to attend the arraignment hearing.
Lee, who also serves as the director of Hanjin Group's non-profit Ilwoo Foundation, has been accused of abusing employees. She was questioned by police on two occasions last week before the prosecution filed for an arrest warrant Thursday. Hanjin is the largest shareholder of Korean Air.
"I am sorry," Lee said upon entering the court. However, she refused to comment on follow-up questions about the allegations.
Lee is accused of verbally insulting and physically assaulting construction workers in 2014, during the remodeling of hotels owned by Hanjin Group.
She is also accused of committing similar verbal assaults against her chauffeur and other Hanjin employees.
Lee is facing seven charges.
According to police, out of 11 victims, 10 of them want her punished -- although Lee has denied any wrongdoing.
Along with Lee, Cho Hyun-ah, 44, a former Korean Air vice president, also reported to the Incheon Main Customs for questioning over tax evasion allegations.
"I am sorry," she said without further comment.
Cho, infamous for her 2014 "nut rage" episode that delayed an international flight over a packet of macadamia nuts, is suspected of smuggling luxury goods through bypassing mandatory customs clearance procedures. She allegedly had them delivered to her via Korean Air planes.
Last month, the customs office confiscated 2.5 tons of suspected smuggled goods that may have belonged to Cho from a Korean Air subcontractor and company officials' residences.
Cho is the first member of the Hanjin owner family to be questioned by customs investigators. She is also linked to other similar claims.
This was the second time in less than two weeks that Cho underwent questioning over allegations surrounding her. She was quizzed May 24, over claims that she and her family illegally hired more than 10 Filipina housekeepers.
To make Korean Air's situation worse, the education ministry is checking whether there was any wrongdoing when the chairman's son transferred to Inha University, which is run by Hanjin Group.
In 1998, Cho Won-tae, the Korean Air president, allegedly transferred to the school without satisfying the institution's transfer requirements.
The wife of the Korean Air chief attended a court hearing Monday to await a decision on her detention on charges of alleged abuse of power.
On the same day, her eldest daughter reported to the customs office in Incheon for questioning over suspected smuggling and tax evasion.
 |
| Lee Myung-hee, the wife of Korean Air Chairman Cho Yang-ho, speaks before entering the Seoul Central District Court for a hearing to review an arrest warrant request on charges she abused employees. / Yonhap |
Lee Myung-hee, 69, reported to the Seoul Central District Court to attend the arraignment hearing.
Lee, who also serves as the director of Hanjin Group's non-profit Ilwoo Foundation, has been accused of abusing employees. She was questioned by police on two occasions last week before the prosecution filed for an arrest warrant Thursday. Hanjin is the largest shareholder of Korean Air.
"I am sorry," Lee said upon entering the court. However, she refused to comment on follow-up questions about the allegations.
Lee is accused of verbally insulting and physically assaulting construction workers in 2014, during the remodeling of hotels owned by Hanjin Group.
She is also accused of committing similar verbal assaults against her chauffeur and other Hanjin employees.
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| Cho Hyun-ah, the eldest daughter of Korean Air Chairman Cho Yang-ho, arrives at the main customs office in Incheon, Monday, to undergo questioning over alleged smuggling and tax evasion. / Yonhap |
According to police, out of 11 victims, 10 of them want her punished -- although Lee has denied any wrongdoing.
Along with Lee, Cho Hyun-ah, 44, a former Korean Air vice president, also reported to the Incheon Main Customs for questioning over tax evasion allegations.
"I am sorry," she said without further comment.
Cho, infamous for her 2014 "nut rage" episode that delayed an international flight over a packet of macadamia nuts, is suspected of smuggling luxury goods through bypassing mandatory customs clearance procedures. She allegedly had them delivered to her via Korean Air planes.
Last month, the customs office confiscated 2.5 tons of suspected smuggled goods that may have belonged to Cho from a Korean Air subcontractor and company officials' residences.
Cho is the first member of the Hanjin owner family to be questioned by customs investigators. She is also linked to other similar claims.
This was the second time in less than two weeks that Cho underwent questioning over allegations surrounding her. She was quizzed May 24, over claims that she and her family illegally hired more than 10 Filipina housekeepers.
To make Korean Air's situation worse, the education ministry is checking whether there was any wrongdoing when the chairman's son transferred to Inha University, which is run by Hanjin Group.
In 1998, Cho Won-tae, the Korean Air president, allegedly transferred to the school without satisfying the institution's transfer requirements.
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