Seoul, Feb 23 (IANS): South Korean prosecutors Monday said they have appealed a court decision that found the eldest daughter of Korean Air's chairman guilty of violating air safety and other laws.

On Feb 12, Cho Hyun-ah, former vice president of the South Korean flag carrier airline, was sentenced to one year in prison for changing the planned route of a flight, intimidating and assaulting a flight attendant, and obstructing the business of the airline, Yonhap News Agency reported.

On Dec 5, Cho ordered a senior crew member off the Korean Air flight headed to Incheon from New York because of the way she was served nuts. The plane had already been taxiing with 250 passengers on board.

She said she was upset that her macadamia nuts were provided in an unopened packet rather than on a plate, which, according to the then vice president of cabin service, violated the proper nut-serving protocol.

The court, however, acquitted Cho of hindering the execution of a government official's duty for exerting influence in the government investigation.

Prosecutors of the Seoul Western Prosecutors' Office handling Cho's case submitted an appeal with a higher court Sunday, they said.

"A heavier prison term could be given to Cho if the court found her guilty of obstructing the execution of a government official's duty," a prosecutor said.

Cho also appealed against her guilty verdict with the court Feb 13.