The late Oh Yoanna, an MBC weathercaster, reported workplace bullying to a senior member of the weather team and confided in her mother about the situation.
TV Chosun reported on Monday that recordings confirm Oh Yoanna called her mother two months before her death, saying she had informed a senior colleague about the harassment she was experiencing.
According to her family, Oh Yoanna sought advice on multiple occasions. She directly spoke to an individual, who reportedly reprimanded the alleged perpetrator. While this person does not hold an official title, they are said to have a leadership role in coordinating tasks within the weather team.
Oh Yoanna’s family has accused this individual of complicity in the bullying despite being aware of her distress. They expressed their outrage, stating, “We later found out they were gossiping about her in a chat group. They pushed a person who was already on the edge.”
She joined MBC as a weathercaster through a public recruitment program in 2021 and tragically passed away in September last year. However, her death wasn’t publicly announced until three months later, in December. A 17-page handwritten suicide note was discovered on her phone on January 27, further fueling suspicions of workplace bullying.
In response to the tragedy, MBC has announced the formation of an investigative committee led by external experts to uncover the truth behind Oh Yoanna’s death. The committee will hold its first meeting on February 5.
The police have also launched a preliminary investigation after a public petition was submitted through South Korea’s official petition platform, requesting a formal inquiry into the incident.