Bang Jung-oh, the CEO of the TV Chosun cable network, has resigned following a backlash over his 10-year-old daughter’s abusive rant to a driver
The president of a South Korean television company has resigned following a backlash over his 10-year-old daughter’s abusive rant to a chauffeur.
Bang Jung-oh, the CEO of the TV Chosun cable network, was forced to apologise for his child’s behaviour after an audio recording of her tirade was released by a rival station.
In the clip, the girl – who had not been named – is heard shouting at the chauffeur and threatening to have him fired.
When the driver reported the girl’s comments to her parents, he was sacked.
It prompted a wave of outrage on social media and now, Bang has announced that he will step down.
‘I express deep regret for causing the public trouble related to my child,’ he said, according to the Telegraph.
‘I apologise sincerely to the chauffeur for his distress.’
In the clip, published by MBC, the girl is heard shouting at the driver: ‘Hey, you! I’ll speak to my mother today to make you lose your job. You’re fired!’
She continued: ‘You’re really insane. Hey, I’m speaking to you.’
After a lengthy silence, the driver replies: ‘Fire me if you want.’
The girl then continues to abuse the driver, telling him: ‘Do you think I would be embarrassed? You’re crippled.’
She also shouts: ‘I really hate you. I want you to die. That’s my wish.’
The driver said he told the girl’s parents what she had said to him, expecting an apology.
Instead, he was fired the next day.
Reports of the incident sparked criticism on social media, with many blasting the super-wealthy owners of chaebols – the sprawling conglomerates that dominate the world’s 11th-largest economy.
The country’s family-run conglomerates often attract controversy, but a series of scandals have made the Cho family one of the most notorious in South Korea.
Korean Air chief Cho Yang-ho’s family was indicted last month on charges of embezzling tens of millions of dollars and other offences.
Cho Hyun-ah (pictured in May 2015) made global headlines in 2014 for kicking a cabin crew chief off a Korean Air plane after she was served macadamia nuts in a bag rather than a bowl
His two daughters, who held management positions at Korean Air, previously became viral sensations for temper tantrums dubbed the ‘nut rage’ and ‘water rage’ scandals, forcing Cho to issue a public apology and remove them from their posts.
The elder, Cho Hyun-ah, made global headlines in 2014 for kicking a cabin crew chief off a Korean Air plane after she was served macadamia nuts in a bag rather than a bowl. She later served a short prison sentence.
Earlier this year, her younger sister Cho Hyun-min was accused of throwing a drink at an advertising agency manager’s face in a fit of rage during a business meeting. She was not indicted as the victim did not want to press charges.
Their mother, Lee Myung-hee, has been questioned by police several times in connection with allegations of assault against her employees including cursing, kicking, slapping and even throwing a pair of scissors.