The Ministry of Employment and Labor has determined that there was workplace harassment against the late Oh Yoanna, who was a weathercaster at Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC). However, the bereaved family stated that they "absolutely cannot accept" the conclusion that the deceased was not recognized as a worker under the Labor Standards Act.
Oh's mother, Jang Yeon-mi, attended a press conference held on the 19th in front of the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office in Jung-gu, Seoul, and said, "Yoanna worked as MBC instructed, but the Ministry of Labor says she is not a worker."
The press conference was organized by the Public Transport Workers' Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), the Workplace Harassment 119, and others.
Previously, the Ministry of Labor noted that during a special labor supervision against MBC conducted by the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office and the Seoul Western District Office, there was workplace harassment; however, the deceased was not recognized as a worker under the Labor Standards Act, hence the provisions related to workplace harassment in the Labor Standards Act do not apply.
In response, Jang said, "I have been holding on to resolve Anna's injustice properly, and it is heartbreaking that such a result has come out," adding, "I hope many people will join together so that the perpetrators can sincerely apologize and MBC can take responsibility."
Yoon Ji-young, a lawyer representing Workplace Harassment 119, commented on the Ministry's judgment, stating, "Caster Oh Yoanna worked at specified locations and times under MBC's direction and supervision, and received the salary set by MBC." She pointed out that "the Ministry did not properly review and did not examine the legal principles accordingly."