The chairman of Korean Air Lines Co. will appear in court next week as a witness in the trial over his daughter's alleged obstruction of aviation safety in the 'nut rage' incident, company officials said Tuesday.

Cho Yang-ho will take the witness' stand for his eldest daughter, Cho Hyun-ah, during a second court hearing scheduled for Jan. 30 at the Seoul Western District Court, they said.

Chairman Cho is said to be complying with the court's request for his attendance because it is his "duty" to do so, according to his daughter's lawyer.

At the first hearing on Monday, the judge said it is necessary that the head of Korean Air clarify whether the senior crew member who had been allegedly assaulted by his daughter will be able to continue working at the carrier without the risk of being laid off after the trial.

Cho Hyun-ah, 40, has been charged with aviation safety violations for ordering a senior crew member to deplane after her macadamia nuts were served in an unopened bag instead of on a plate earlier last month. The Seoul-bound flight from New York subsequently returned to the gate at John F. Kennedy airport so the purser could disembark.

Prosecutors have also charged the daughter, then a Korean Air vice president, with assaulting the crew member as well as coercion and interference in the execution of duty. (Yonhap)