In this Decermber 12, 2014 file photo, Cho Hyun-ah, who was head of cabin service at Korean Air and the oldest child of Korean Air Chairman Cho Yang-ho, speaks to the media in Seoul. (AP)
South Korea's Transport Ministry says four officials will be punished for improper conduct during an investigation into a former Korean Air Lines executive who forced a flight to return over a bag of macadamia nuts.
The ministry said Monday that the punishment could include dismissals, salary reductions or formal reprimands.
Earlier this month, then Korean Air executive Cho Hyun-ah forced a plane that was preparing to take off in New York to return to the gate and kicked off the chief flight attendant because she was served nuts in a bag, not on a plate.
The ministry has been under fire following revelations that some officials leaked information and committed other improper acts during the investigation.