MBC officially apologizes to the late weathercaster Oh Yoanna, who died after reporting workplace bullying.
MBC and the deceased's family will hold a press conference for the public at 10 AM on the 15th at MBC's new building in Sangam. During the press conference, MBC will apologize to the deceased, promise measures to prevent recurrence and improve systems, and award a honorary employee certificate.
Last month, on the first anniversary of her death, the deceased's mother staged a hunger strike in front of the MBC building, demanding an official apology, prevention of recurrence, and restoration of her daughter's honor. After 27 days of the protest, an interim agreement was reached with the company on the 5th, concluding the hunger strike.
The interim agreement includes ▲ a public press conference between MBC and the family ▲ establishment of a memorial space for the deceased at MBC headquarters by September 15, 2026 ▲ abolition of the existing weathercaster position and transition to a regular 'climate expert' position (on the condition that current employees are not disadvantaged).
The late Oh, who began her career as an MBC weathercaster in 2021, actively participated in programs such as 'MBC News', 'MBC News Today', and the radio show 'Opening the World in the Morning'. However, she suddenly passed away at the age of 28 on September 15 of last year.
Three months after her death, an obituary was belatedly reported in December, and in January, evidence of workplace bullying, including a will, recordings, and messages, was found on her mobile phone. The family filed a lawsuit seeking 510 million won in damages against a fellow weathercaster identified as the perpetrator, referred to as A.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor, which conducted a special labor inspection on MBC, acknowledged the bullying against the deceased in May, stating, "Statements that are difficult to recognize as necessary for work were repeated beyond simple guidance or advice." However, they stated that they could not classify her as an MBC employee, thus the 'Workplace Bullying Prevention System' could not be applied.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
