South Korea toughens aviation law in wake of nut rage incident

SEOUL — South Korea toughened its aviation security law in the aftermath of the notorious nut rage incident involving a top airline executive.

The transport ministry said the revised law went into effect Tuesday, more than a year after a Korean Airlines vice president's tantrum over macadamia nuts delayed a flight.

The executive and Korean Air heiress Cho Hyun-ah left the airline after a public uproar.

Under the revised law, disturbing the captain or crew can be punished by up to five years in prison or up to 50 million won ($41,461) in fine. Previously, such acts faced a fine of 5 million won and no prison term.

Being a nuisance to other passengers faces a 10 million won fine, doubled from the past.