Witness absences stall trial in late Oh Yoanna workplace harrassment case

The trial surrounding the late MBC weathercaster Oh Yoanna remains at a standstill as key witnesses have failed to appear.

On April 16, the 48th Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court held the fifth hearing in a damages lawsuit related to allegations of workplace harassment connected to Oh Yoanna’s death.

Witness examinations requested by both the bereaved family and the defendants were scheduled for the day. However, the proceedings could not move forward after the selected witnesses did not attend.

Previously, the bereaved family had applied for three witnesses, including two weathercasters identified as alleged perpetrators. The defendants, meanwhile, requested a weather segment producer who had professional interactions with the deceased.

According to the court, some witnesses had notified the court in advance of their intention not to appear. In the case of the two weathercasters accused of harassment, it was reported that delivery of the summons had not been completed. As a result, all scheduled witness examinations were postponed.

The court warned that fines could be imposed if witnesses fail to appear again without a valid reason at the next hearing, which has been set for June 18.

Oh Yoanna passed away in September 2024 at the age of 28. Following her death, allegations surfaced that she had been subjected to workplace harassment by fellow MBC weathercasters. South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor later determined through a special labor inspection that there had been actions that could be considered harassment.

In response, the bereaved family filed a damages lawsuit seeking 510 million KRW against those involved. MBC President Ahn Hyung Jun issued an official apology regarding the workplace harassment allegations, and the broadcaster posthumously awarded Oh Yo Anna an honorary employee certificate. The bereaved family has also signed a settlement agreement.