Two years have passed since the death of MBC weathercaster Oh Yoanna.
According to MBC, the company has designated a week of mourning from September 14 to 20 in honor of Oh Yoanna. A memorial space has been set up on the first floor of the management center at its headquarters in Sangam-dong, Mapo District, Seoul. A memorial service titled 'Oh Yoanna, Still Clear Today' will be held at 6 p.m. today, following a flower offering at the new building.
Born in 1996, Oh Yoanna worked as a weathercaster for MBC from 2021 until her death on September 15, 2024, at the age of 28. Her passing was reported in December of that year, and subsequent revelations of her suicide note and messenger conversations raised allegations of workplace harassment by colleagues. Her family has since filed a lawsuit for damages.
As the controversy escalated, MBC decided to establish a fact-finding committee on January 31 of last year, launching an investigation with external legal experts in February. Although the investigation concluded in early April, MBC did not disclose the results, citing ongoing civil litigation and concerns about secondary harm. In September of the same year, MBC stated it would release the findings if all parties involved in the civil lawsuit agreed.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor conducted a special labor inspection of MBC from February 11 to May 16 last year. The ministry concluded that there were acts of harassment that exceeded appropriate workplace boundaries against the deceased. However, it determined that Oh Yoanna could not be classified as a worker under the Labor Standards Act, meaning the workplace harassment provisions did not apply. Instead, the ministry recommended that MBC improve its unreasonable organizational culture, including harassment.
Following the ministry's announcement, MBC took personnel action. On May 20 of last year, the company terminated the contract of one weathercaster identified as a harasser and renewed contracts with three others, stating that it found no grounds to classify the remaining three as perpetrators based on the special labor inspection results.
Reforms were also implemented. On the first anniversary of Oh Yoanna's death, MBC announced the abolition of the freelance weathercaster system and plans to hire full-time 'climate experts.' At that time, her family and civic groups protested, citing issues related to the employment of existing weathercasters. A month later, on October 15, MBC and the family signed an agreement, and MBC President Ahn Hyung-jun issued a formal apology to the family. MBC also promised to provide a posthumous employee certificate to Oh Yoanna and establish a memorial space while ensuring prevention of future incidents.
The reform plan was implemented this year. The previous freelance weathercasters left MBC when their contracts ended in February, and starting in March, MBC began deploying full-time climate experts hired through public recruitment to the 'News Desk' weather segment.
Legal proceedings surrounding the case are still ongoing. The family’s lawsuit for damages is currently in progress. During a hearing held in June, witness examinations took place, and the family has indicated that they are continuing the civil lawsuit through Oh Yoanna's social media accounts.
Discussions regarding the employment status of weathercasters are also ongoing. On August 24, the Seoul Regional Labor Relations Commission ruled in favor of a claim for reinstatement filed by former MBC weathercaster Choi Ah-ri, recognizing her as a worker under the Labor Standards Act and deeming MBC's contract termination as wrongful dismissal. While this decision does not directly reassess Oh Yoanna's employment status, it contrasts with the Labor Ministry's earlier determination that did not classify her as a worker. MBC stated it would review the ruling before deciding on its response.
As two years have passed since her death, the acts of harassment have been confirmed by government investigations, and MBC has taken action against those involved, implemented reforms, and issued an official apology. However, the family's civil lawsuit and the issue of freelance workers' employment status in the broadcasting industry remain unresolved.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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