Korean Air Lines' labor unions called for the youngest daughter of its chairman, a sister of the infamous "nut rage" heiress, to step down from management after her alleged abusive behavior against an advertising agency official caused public outrage.

Cho Hyun-min, also known as Emily Cho and a senior vice president at Korean Air, apologized Thursday for what she called her "foolish behavior" after media reports said she threw water at the face of an advertising agency manager during a recent business meeting.

Cho, speaking to TV channel MBC after she cut short her vacation overseas and arrived at Incheon International Airport on Sunday, denied she had thrown a cup of water at the manager's face but said she had "pushed" it.