The issue of workplace harassment surrounding the late MBC weathercaster Oh Yoanna, who tragically passed away, was mentioned for the first time on an MBC radio broadcast. On the MBC radio program “Kim Jong-bae’s Focus”, which aired on the 3rd, former People Power Party member Yoo Seung-min posed a question to Anchor Kim Jong-bae regarding the issue involving the late Oh Yoanna.
Yoo Seung-min questioned whether MBC was properly reporting or investigating the matter, pointing out that MBC employs many freelancers, including the anchor himself, and if there were issues like workplace harassment, MBC should be taking the lead in investigating, reflecting, and apologizing if necessary. He expressed curiosity about the anchor’s opinion since other media were already reporting on the issue, but MBC had not.
In response, Kim Jong-bae stated that as a freelancer, from an observer’s viewpoint, it is not a report on the matter that MBC should be issuing but an official position, which must be preceded by a thorough investigation.
Yoo Seung-min also criticized what appeared to be an attempt to undermine the seriousness of the matter in some expressions, emphasizing that MBC should properly investigate the issue, considering the feelings of the bereaved family and the victim.
Kim Jong-bae confirmed that a fact-finding committee had been organized and suggested that an official stance would be released once the committee’s results were out.
Oh Yoanna passed away in September 2024 at the age of 28. The cause of death was initially unknown, but suspicions of workplace harassment emerged later. The bereaved family claimed Oh Yoanna had suffered harassment for two years and filed a civil lawsuit against two MBC colleague weathercasters identified as perpetrators. A formal complaint related to Oh Yoanna’s workplace harassment incident was submitted through the public e-petition system to the Mapo Police Station in Seoul. The police stated that the case had multiple charges, so its jurisdiction and function had not been determined yet.
In response to the controversy, MBC announced an official stance on January 31, stating that a fact-finding committee led by an external expert would be formed to uncover the cause and truth behind Oh Yoanna’s death. The committee would involve several external experts, including lawyers, and internal department heads would participate as practical members to ensure an accurate investigation.
MBC further stated that the investigation would officially begin early next week after weekend preparations. They expressed their intention to support the smooth and prompt determination of the truth by providing all preliminary investigation data to the committee and extended condolences to the deceased, promising to do their utmost to heal the bereaved family’s pain by clarifying the facts.