The People Power Party is pushing for a hearing to investigate allegations that the late MBC weathercaster Oh Yoanna faced workplace bullying during her life.
Floor leader Kwon Seong-dong asked Representative Choi Hyung-doo, the ruling party's secretary of the Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, during a floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 4th, "Did you request (the opposition party to hold) a hearing on the investigation into the Oh Yoanna case?" He added, "This has great social repercussions. I hope you take the lead in demanding a hearing to investigate the truth."
In response, Representative Choi said, "The younger generation is outraged by how workplace discrimination could lead a young broadcaster to death within a public broadcasting system."
He further stated, "I will not ignore this issue," and added, "First, MBC's board member from the Korea Broadcast Advertising Corporation (KOBACO) should conduct a thorough investigation into this issue to understand how such discriminatory acts could have been neglected and what measures will be implemented to prevent recurrence, and I hope you will thoroughly prepare measures to report to the Communications and Media Committee."
Representative Park Chung-gwon, a member of the Communications and Media Committee, said, "This issue is not simply about treating the death of the late individual as a political conflict, but rather examining the problem of workplace bullying that has existed since the tenure of MBC's CEOs Choi Seung-ho and Park Sung-jae."
He continued, "Incidents that cause social controversy are said to fall under the subject of special labor supervision," and added, "I actively request the Ministry of Employment and Labor to consider (special labor supervision)."
Representative Lee Sang-hwi, chairperson of the party's media task force, criticized, "MBC shows no responsible attitude towards the death of the late individual and has issued a ridiculous statement claiming it to be an attempt to shake MBC while spreading political conspiracy theories."
He added, "MBC has lost its self-regulatory capability. Conducting its own investigation makes no sense," and stated, "Now that relevant recordings have emerged, the Ministry of Employment and Labor must immediately initiate special labor supervision."
He noted, "The People Power Party will uncover the truth of this tragic incident and will hold those responsible accountable for both legal and moral obligations."