Arrest warrant approved for ex-Korean Air exec in nut rage

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A South Korean court has approved the arrest of a former Korean Air Lines Co. executive who delayed a flight in what has widely been called "nut rage."

Seoul Western District Court said it granted a warrant Tuesday to arrest Cho Hyun-ah, 40, citing concerns that she might destroy evidence or flee.

She resigned as vice president of Korean Air amid public anger that she forced a plane to return to its gate in New York on Dec. 5 to remove the chief flight attendant because she was angry that macadamia nuts were served in a bag, not on a plate. Witnesses said she assaulted and insulted cabin crew members.

The arrest comes as Korean Air faces government sanctions for allegedly trying to cover up the incident.