Former employees step forward alleging years of mistreatment

Oh Yo-anna (Oh Yo-anna's Instagram)
Oh Yo-anna (Oh Yo-anna's Instagram)

Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation is facing a third legal action against it, all of them initiated by the same unidentified person in less than a week based on allegations that its former weathercaster, Oh Yo-anna, was subjected to severe workplace harassment. Reports from former employees continue to surface, accusing the company of years of mistreatment.

An online community posting on Monday said the user had reported MBC to the police for violating the Serious Accidents Punishment Act in connection with alleged workplace harassment targeting Oh. The author provided proof that a request for an investigation had been submitted to the Mapo Police Station in Seoul.

“This case goes beyond simple workplace harassment and may involve a violation of management’s duty to ensure employee safety and health,” the writer argued, emphasizing the need for a thorough legal review to determine the applicability of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.

The writer also claimed to have reported Oh's alleged harassment to the police and the Ministry of Employment and Labor on Wednesday. The same person also filed reports against MBC President Ahn Hyung-joon, company department heads and Oh's colleagues on Friday, with the allegations including incitement to destroy evidence, occupational negligence resulting in death and violations of the Stalking Punishment Act.

Oh was found dead on Sept. 15, 2024. The controversy surrounding her death intensified when a 17-page will was discovered on her phone and it was revealed that her bereaved family had filed a civil lawsuit against her colleagues on Jan. 23, citing workplace mistreatment.

After the news of Oh's death went viral, former MBC weathercasters have come forward with their own claims of workplace harassment at the broadcaster.

On Sunday, former weathercaster Bae Soo-yeon shared on social media, “It was the same when I left MBC. As a mere freelance weathercaster by their standards, no one paid attention to what I said.”

“I loved my job and my workplace, but I saw its other side,” she continued. “I thought things might have changed by now, but it’s shocking that they haven’t.”

Bae, who joined MBC as a weathercaster in 2005, left in 2010 and is now working as a freelance broadcaster.

On Saturday, Park Eun-ji also spoke out on social media, sharing a news article about the discovery of Oh’s suicide note. “As a former MBC weathercaster, my heart feels so heavy,” she wrote.

Park, who worked at MBC from 2005 to 2013 before becoming a freelance broadcaster, added, “I endured those seven harsh years, so I understand… I know how terrifying and isolating that pain is… I’m so sorry I couldn’t help.” She further stated, “The deeply rooted culture of workplace harassment must be fully exposed and brought to an end.”

In response to the allegations, MBC stated that Oh had never formally reported any grievances to the department responsible for handling such matters. The broadcaster announced plans to establish an investigative committee, led by an external specialist, to determine the cause of Oh’s death and uncover the truth.