The Ministry of Employment and Labor has determined that workplace harassment occurred in the case of late Oh Yoanna, a weathercaster affiliated with MBC, following a recent investigation.
On May 18, SBS reported that although Oh Yoanna did not qualify as a “worker” under the Labor Standards Act, the ministry identified actions in her situation that could be considered harassment.
Typically, weathercasters are classified as independent contractors, often working for multiple broadcasters without direct employment by networks. Consequently, Oh Yoanna was not recognized as an employee under labor laws. However, due to the high-profile nature of her case, the ministry made an exception, stating there were actions that “may be considered harassment.”
In February, the ministry established a task force to assess MBC’s working conditions for weathercasters, following concerns raised about their treatment.
Oh Yoanna passed away in September 2023, after which allegations of workplace bullying emerged, naming four fellow MBC weathercasters as alleged perpetrators. Her family has since filed a civil lawsuit against one of them.
