Mother of Korean Air ‘nut rage’ heiress gets suspended sentence for assaulting staff
- Lee Myung-hee, 70, was given a two-year jail sentence suspended for three years on the grounds the fact that the victims did not want her to be punished
- She faced multiple allegations of assault against her employees including kicking, slapping, and throwing a pair of scissors
The family has come under scrutiny in recent years after being embroiled in multiple criminal probes over assault, embezzlement and smuggling luxury goods, as well as a power struggle at the Hanjin group, which includes Korean Air.
Lee, 70, faced multiple allegations of assault against her staff – from drivers and housekeepers to construction workers – including cursing, kicking, slapping, and throwing a pair of scissors.
Seoul Central District Court convicted her on Tuesday but gave her a two-year jail sentence suspended for three years, and 80 hours of community service, on the grounds of her age and the fact that the victims did not want her to be punished.
“In contrast to Lee’s position as the wife of the chairman of a conglomerate, the victims, as drivers or housekeepers, had no choice but to endure Lee’s unfair actions,” the court said, according to Yonhap news agency.
It added Lee had “admitted her responsibility” and reached an agreement with the victims, factors which were taken into consideration.
