MBC responds to workplace bullying allegations surrounding the late weathercaster Oh Yoanna

On January 28, MBC announced that it is prepared to launch an investigation into allegations of workplace harassment faced by the late weathercaster Oh Yoanna, who passed away on September 15, 2024, if her family formally requests it.

In an official statement released on January 28, MBC said, "We do not currently have the suicide note recently confirmed to have been left by the deceased," and added, "If the family requests a fact-check based on the newly discovered note, MBC is ready to begin an investigation promptly."

The previous day, a media outlet reported that Oh Yoanna had written a 17-page (2,750 characters) suicide note in her phone's memo app, which included allegations of harassment related to work by two colleagues or senior weathercasters, before taking her own life. Additionally, other media outlets reported that Oh Yoanna's friends released new details about the bullying allegations and took to social media to speak out about the bullying she endured.

The report states that Oh Yoanna, who began working as an MBC weathercaster in May 2021, became a target of harassment starting in March 2022. Evidence found on her phone suggests that she had informed several MBC officials about the harassment before her death. Despite this, MBC did not conduct a workplace harassment investigation following her passing.

According to the report, the late Oh Yoanna, who joined MBC as a weathercaster in May 2021, became a target of harassment starting in March of the following year. Records indicating that she informed several MBC officials of the harassment before her death were found on her phone. However, MBC did not conduct a workplace harassment investigation after her passing.

MBC stated, "The deceased, who worked as a freelancer, never informed the relevant departments (such as the HR Counseling Office of the HR Support Division or the Clean Center of the Audit Division) or the management supervisors she worked with about her grievances." MBC further added, "If the deceased informed any MBC personnel of her grievances during her lifetime, we ask to be informed of who she reported to."

The statement continued, "If the deceased had officially reported her grievances to the company or at least informed responsible managers of her suffering, the company would have naturally conducted the appropriate investigation."

Oh Yoanna passed away in September of last year at the age of 28. At the time, the cause of death was not disclosed.

Meanwhile, the Media Special Committee of the People Power Party (PPP) released a statement saying, "MBC is evading responsibility by claiming that the deceased never reported her grievances to relevant departments or management supervisors and is now offering to conduct an investigation only if requested by the family." The PPP criticized MBC, stating, "It is evident that this announcement was reluctantly made after the controversy grew."

The PPP added, "We will uncover the truth behind this tragic incident and ensure that those responsible are held accountable both legally and morally."