MBC weathercaster late Oh Yoanna, who was identified as a victim of workplace bullying, left MBC.
MBC terminated the contract with weathercaster A on the 20th. A is one of the individuals identified as a perpetrator of workplace bullying against late Oh Yoanna.
Late Oh Yoanna passed away on September 15 last year. Subsequently, it became known through reports that the deceased had suffered from workplace bullying before her death, causing a stir. According to a suicide note released in January, late Oh Yoanna mentioned the real names of the perpetrators and directly referred to the details of her suffering.
Afterward, Lee Hyun-seung, Kim Ga-young, Park Ha-myung, and Choi Ah-ri were identified as the perpetrators who bullied late Oh Yoanna, and the viewers' bulletin board was flooded with posts demanding their departure.
Ultimately, Kim Ga-young, who was implicated in the bullying allegations, left the shows 'Good Morning FM This is Tae' on MBC FM4U and SBS 'Gol Ttarineun Geunyeodeul.' She was also removed as an ambassador for Paju City. However, she continued to appear in the news programs, which sparked viewer backlash.
In this context, on the 19th, the Ministry of Employment and Labor concluded that there had been acts of workplace bullying against late Oh Yoanna during a special inspection. However, since the deceased had a freelance contract, the 'workplace bullying' provision under the Labor Standards Act was reportedly not directly applicable.
In response, MBC issued an official statement the same day, saying, "We take the results of the special labor inspection by the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced today very seriously," and added, "Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation accepts the Ministry of Employment and Labor's judgment that 'there were acts of bullying against late Oh Yoanna' and will promptly carry out efforts to improve organizational culture. We will also take appropriate measures against those involved."
Furthermore, we will endeavor to ensure that colleagues working with Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation, including freelancers, non-regular workers, and contract employees, are not discriminated against. We will also enhance and reinforce systems to quickly address issues that may arise among freelancers and non-regular workers," and, "Regarding the evaluation of worker status for some freelancers, we will carry out legal reviews and implement appropriate measures in a timely manner. We sincerely apologize once again to the bereaved family for the tragic incidents involving late Oh Yoanna," they added.
Ultimately, MBC terminated the contract with A, who was identified as a perpetrator of workplace bullying against late Oh Yoanna. It is reported that no actions have been taken against three other weathercasters who faced allegations of complicity or indifference in the bullying.
In fact, on the 22nd, Kim Ga-young also appeared on the 'MBC News Today' weather segment. On the day when MBC delivered its first official apology, Geum Chae-rim, who was not included on the list of late Oh Yoanna's perpetrators, appeared, but starting from the next day on the 20th, Kim Ga-young returned to her role as usual. Lee Hyun-seung also appeared in the weather segments of '12 MBC News' and '930 MBC News' aired on the 21st, while Choi Ah-ri appeared in the weather segments of '5 o'clock News and Economy' and 'MBC 2 o'clock News Special.'
As this news circulated, viewers continued to express negative reactions. Despite promises to improve organizational culture, criticism has been voiced regarding the inadequate response, as only one of the individuals identified as a perpetrator was punished.
Meanwhile, late Oh Yoanna's brother wrote on the deceased's social media account on the 30th of last month, stating, "What we want to emphasize is that the bullying my sister experienced was not some trivial injustice that anyone might encounter in life, but 'a level of bullying serious enough to drive a person to death.' My sister made the choice to give up her life after enduring horrific torment, yet some continue to deliver the weather and live their tranquil daily lives. While my sister has vanished from the world, watching them go about their days nonchalantly feels like secondary victimization to us. The bereaved family hopes that the perpetrators and those who turned a blind eye will acknowledge their wrongdoings and offer sincere apologies and reflections," he appealed for continued interest.
[Photo] OSEN DB, MBC
[OSEN]