MBC Issues Apology to Late Oh Yoanna Amid Ongoing Legal Proceedings

MBC held a press conference to issue an official apology to the late Oh Yoanna, stating that it is inappropriate to label individuals as 'perpetrators' while legal proceedings are ongoing. The network declined to comment further on the matter.

On the 15th, a public press conference took place at the Golden Mouse Hall in MBC's Broadcasting Center in Mapo-gu, Seoul. MBC President Ahn Hyung-joon and the family of the late Oh Yoanna were in attendance. During the event, MBC officially apologized to the deceased, presented an honorary employee ID, and signed an agreement with the bereaved family.

Despite the agreement, some viewers expressed dissatisfaction that individuals identified as perpetrators continue to appear on broadcasts. When questioned about potential punishment for the alleged perpetrators, MBC firmly stated that the term 'perpetrator' is inappropriate.

MBC explained, "Since the lawsuit is still in progress, it is not possible to definitively label anyone as a perpetrator," and refrained from further comments on the issue. However, they assured that in cases of workplace harassment, perpetrators would be dealt with strictly according to relevant laws.

Oh Yoanna left a note in September last year, claiming she was a victim of workplace harassment before her passing. Four MBC weathercasters were identified as alleged perpetrators, and the family filed a civil lawsuit against one of them.

The family also demanded MBC to issue an official apology, announce measures to prevent recurrence, convert weathercasters to permanent positions, and conduct a comprehensive survey of freelance contractors. They claimed MBC did not adequately respond to these demands, leading to a hunger strike last month. After 27 days, a tentative agreement was reached, ending the strike.

Reporter: Seyoon Jung, TenAsia yoon@tenasia.co.kr