MBC Severes Ties With Weathercaster Oh Yoanna Following Bullying Investigation

Late meteorologist Oh Yoanna [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Following the government’s confirmation of workplace harassment at the network, MBC has severed ties with a weathercaster who was alleged to have bullied the late Oh Yoanna.

On Thursday, the broadcaster revealed that they had terminated their contract with the meteorologist on Tuesday. This decision came after a specific labor investigation conducted by the Ministry of Employment and Labor released its findings. So far, MBC has refrained from taking any measures against other weather presenters whom Oh’s relatives have accused of misconduct.

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On Monday, the ministry determined that Oh had been subjected to workplace bullying. They made public a transcript of a discussion between Oh and the supposed perpetrator, which illustrated behavior hard to defend as essential for professional duties.

The ministry noted, however, that Oh was not considered an official employee under the Labor Standards Act, so the law’s protections against workplace harassment were not applicable. According to the act, employers must implement suitable actions—such as discipline or transfer—if they confirm instances of workplace harassment.

Following the ministry's report, Oh’s mother, Jang Yeon-mi, conducted a press briefing at the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office in downtown Seoul on Monday.

I'm clinging to hope for justice for [Yoanna] and to appropriately close this case, but this result is utterly heartbreaking," she stated. "This is completely unacceptable.

Yoon Ji-young, who represents Gapjil 119—a civil organization focused on addressing workplace mistreatment and was behind organizing the press conference—challenged the ministry’s perspective during her statement.

Oh, Yoanna was supervised by MBC, adhered to specified working hours and locations, and received compensation set by the company," Yoon stated. "The ministry did not correctly implement the law.

A meteorologist who passed away last September succumbed to mistreatment three years and four months following their employment at MBC. Notes discovered on her cellphone detailed ongoing verbal harassment and defamation from fellow employees.

Translated from the JoongAng Ilbo using generative AI and edited by Korea JoongAng Daily staff.

BY KIM JI-HYE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]