Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) acknowledged workplace harassment regarding the late Oh Yoanna, who was a weathercaster. It promised to take "appropriate measures" against the perpetrator.
MBC noted on the 19th, "We pray for the repose of Oh Yoanna’s soul. We also extend our condolences to the bereaved family," adding, "We take the results of the special labor inspection released today by the Ministry of Employment very seriously. We will make preventing recurrence and improving organizational culture, along with compliance with labor laws, our top management priorities and do our utmost to address them."
It continued, "We take the Ministry of Employment’s determination that there were 'harassment acts' involving Oh Yoanna seriously, and we will promptly carry out efforts to improve our organizational culture," also asserting, "We will take appropriate actions regarding those involved. Based on the 'overall organizational culture improvement plan' we submitted to the Ministry of Employment earlier, we are already implementing improvement measures. We will verify and complement any areas that may be lacking in light of this announcement."
Furthermore, MBC emphasized, "We will make greater efforts to ensure that freelancers, non-regular workers, and outsourced staff do not experience discrimination. We will further enhance and strengthen systems to quickly address issues that may arise between freelancers and non-regular workers," noting, "We will enhance the Clean Center that is currently in operation, allowing for immediate reporting and resolution of harassment or difficulties. Regardless of employment type, we will ensure that when colleagues recognize these issues, they can report them while having their anonymity guaranteed."
On this day, the Ministry of Employment announced the results of the special labor inspection conducted against MBC by the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Administration and the Seoul Western Office regarding the allegations of workplace harassment involving Oh Yoanna. It asserted that there was "harassment within the organization" concerning the deceased but stated, "However, they are not recognized as an employee under the Labor Standards Act, so the workplace harassment regulations do not apply."
Subsequently, the late Oh's mother, Jang Yeon-mi, held a press conference in front of the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Administration in Jung-gu, Seoul, crying out, "An-na did what MBC instructed her to do, but the Ministry of Labor says she is not a worker. I cannot accept this at all."