Following claims that the late MBC weathercaster Oh Yoanna (28 years old at the time of her passing) suffered from workplace harassment before her death in September last year, MBC has finally released an official statement.
On the 28th, in response to allegations that Oh Yoanna was a victim of workplace harassment, MBC stated, “We currently do not have the late Yoanna's will, which has recently been confirmed. If the family requests a fact-finding investigation based on the newly discovered will, MBC is prepared to commence an investigation as soon as possible.”
On the 27th, the Maeil Business Newspaper reported that a 17-page will was found on the late Oh Yoanna's mobile phone after the password was unlocked, and that the will contained complaints about workplace harassment from two specific colleagues.
After the allegations of workplace harassment were raised, MBC had remained silent but has now broken its silence, indicating its readiness to conduct an investigation. However, they stated, “What can be clearly confirmed is that the deceased never reported her grievances to the responsible department or the management personnel she worked with while working as a freelancer,” adding, “If she had officially reported her grievances to the company or even informed responsible managers about her suffering, the company would have naturally conducted an appropriate investigation.”
Regarding reports from some media that “the deceased informed four MBC officials about her suffering before her death,” MBC requested, “Please let us know who those individuals are,” and urged against the indiscriminate dissemination of unverified information and allegations, stating, “This is directly related to the deceased's honor and could lead to another level of victimization.”
Meanwhile, according to Oh Yoanna's will, a colleague who joined the company earlier made a false report and placed the blame on the late Oh Yoanna, calling her to the office after working hours under the pretext of needing to teach her, and preventing her from leaving for more than one to one and a half hours. Another colleague who joined earlier reportedly criticized her for daring to correct incorrect weather information, implying that “a junior should not point out mistakes to a senior.”
During the recruitment of the late Oh Yoanna for tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block' in 2022, it was said, “What can you say when you go out?” and she was criticized for her abilities, indicating that she had been subjected to long-term criticism.
[Geum Bit-na, MK Sports Reporter]
