Kwon Tae-sun, the chairman of the Broadcasting Culture Promotion Association (BCPA), which oversees MBC, has expressed his stance on the late Oh Yoanna case.
On the 4th, Chairman Kwon published a post titled “I pray for the soul of Ms. Oh Yoanna” on the BCPA website.
Chairman Kwon stated, “First and foremost, I pray for the soul of Ms. Oh Yoanna, who left this world at a young age, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to her family. As the chairman of the Broadcasting Culture Promotion Association, which oversees MBC, I was shocked to hear reports during the Lunar New Year holiday that her tragic death was related to workplace bullying. While confirming the facts is important, it is even more regrettable that such issues have arisen in a public broadcaster like MBC.”
He continued, “I immediately sought to confirm the relevant facts from MBC and listened to their response plan, after which I raised the necessity for a comprehensive investigation. MBC reported that it would form a fact-finding committee, including external experts, and would soon begin the investigation. I hope that the fact-finding committee will objectively and fairly investigate the various issues currently raised and quickly reveal the truth. Furthermore, I hope that this investigation process will serve to alleviate grievances and heal wounds.”
Additionally, he promised that the BCPA would work to prevent recurrence beyond resolving the incident. Chairman Kwon stated, “Based on the results of the investigation, I will work with MBC to find ways to ensure that such unfortunate incidents do not happen again. I will also demand a review of the overall working conditions of freelancers, including weathercasters, to establish improvement measures,” and added, “Once again, I wish for the eternal rest of the deceased.”
Meanwhile, the late Oh Yoanna joined MBC as a weathercaster through a public recruitment in 2021 and suddenly passed away last September. The news of her death was belatedly reported three months later in December.
Subsequently, on the 27th of last month, a 17-page suicide note was found on the deceased's mobile phone, raising suspicions of workplace bullying. The family filed a civil lawsuit in December of last year against a colleague who appeared to have engaged in workplace bullying.
MBC has formed a fact-finding committee and has begun the investigation. The Mapo Police Station in Seoul has also received a public complaint requesting an investigation into the incident and has started an inquiry.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
