The Ministry of Employment and Labor has determined that there was 'harassment' within MBC related to the workplace bullying allegations against late weather caster Oh Yoanna, who died last year. However, it concluded that Oh could not be regarded as a worker under the Labor Standards Act and therefore does not fall under 'workplace bullying.'
The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced the results of a special labor inspection targeting MBC related to the workplace bullying allegations against Oh on the 19th. The special labor inspection was conducted by the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Administration and the Seoul Western District Office from February 11 to 16 of this year.
Oh passed away on September 15 last year, and in January of this year, a statement revealing that she was bullied by colleagues was made public. Following this, many complaints requesting a thorough investigation were received by the National Call Center, which were then forwarded to the Ministry of Employment and Labor for a special labor inspection.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor has concluded that there was bullying against Oh at MBC. After joining in 2021, she frequently received guidance and advice from seniors, but it was explained that behaviors occurring repeatedly were hard to justify as necessary for work when viewed from social standards.
When Oh appeared on the entertainment program 'You Quiz' representing MBC, a senior weather caster publicly criticized her by saying, 'What can you say on You Quiz?' The Ministry of Employment and Labor stated, 'Unnecessary remarks stemming from personal feelings were made repeatedly beyond work-related necessity.'
The Ministry of Employment and Labor noted that despite the fact that MBC weather casters hold the status of freelancers with independence and autonomy, a clear hierarchy expressed as senior-junior relationships existed among individuals involved. 'In such an organizational culture, conflicts between seniors and juniors greatly contributed to behaviors that corresponded to bullying,' it said.
However, the Ministry of Employment and Labor judged that it was difficult to consider Oh as an employee of MBC under the Labor Standards Act. Although bullying occurred, they stated that the provisions of 'prohibition of workplace bullying' under the Labor Standards Act could not be applied.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor cited five reasons for this conclusion. ▲ Besides appearing on news programs contracted with MBC, she did not perform other tasks such as administration, night duty, or events. ▲ Some weather casters freely engage in other broadcasting appearances or personal profit activities, and they retain all such earnings. ▲ Main tasks like verifying weather information and preparing scripts were conducted autonomously without specific direction or oversight. ▲ She was not subject to employment rules or service regulations and had no fixed working hours. ▲ No separate leave procedures were established, and expenses for broadcast appearances were paid directly to coordinators.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor stated that during this special labor inspection, it confirmed an unreasonable organizational culture within MBC. A survey conducted by the Ministry of Employment and Labor involving 1,726 MBC employees revealed that among 252 respondents, 115 acknowledged having experienced workplace bullying or knowing colleagues who had been victims. An individual stated they were told 'not to report' after requesting a 'loveshot' from a colleague and being mocked about their clothing and appearance.
Additionally, MBC failed to pay wages amounting to 184 million won for overtime compensation and other payments to 691 employees, including broadcasting support and contract workers. The Ministry also immediately recognized four violations of labor-related law as criminal offenses and imposed fines of 15.4 million won in two cases.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor investigated 35 freelancers within the Reporting and Current Affairs Bureau that includes weather casters, confirming 25 as workers under the Labor Standards Act. They serve as production directors, editing directors, assistant directors, and stage managers, receiving specific and ongoing work direction and supervision from main production directors.
Vice Minister Kim Min-seok noted, 'Despite ongoing guidance and supervision of broadcasters, violations of labor-related laws are still being detected,' and added, 'We will actively guide major broadcasting companies as well.'