MBC Ends Freelance Weathercaster System Following Workplace Harassment Tragedy

MBC has officially ended its freelance weathercaster system, a decision made 1 year and 5 months after the tragic death of Oh Yoanna, who passed away due to workplace harassment.

According to industry sources, the last broadcast featuring MBC's weathercasters aired on the 8th. Moving forward, the network plans to shift its weather reporting to a system centered around full-time meteorological experts.

In September of last year, coinciding with the first anniversary of Oh Yoanna's passing, MBC announced its intention to overhaul the system by eliminating freelance weathercasters and hiring 'meteorological experts' as full-time employees. As a result, existing weathercasters such as Lee Hyun-seung, Kim Ga-young, Choi Ah-ri, and Geum Chae-rim have all departed from MBC.

On the 8th, Geum Chae-rim shared on her social media, "Last Friday marked my final weather report as a weathercaster. During my nearly five years at MBC, I always delivered the weather with joy and excitement in front of the camera. I have no regrets as I gave my best to every broadcast, including special reports during disasters and early morning shows."

She added, "However, it's honest to say that there's a sense of emptiness and regret knowing that the job and work I loved are disappearing. I hope this conclusion is not the end but a new beginning, and I look forward to greeting everyone again in a new way."

Meanwhile, Oh Yoanna left a note in September 2024, stating she had experienced workplace harassment before her death. Four MBC weathercasters were identified as perpetrators, and the bereaved family filed a civil lawsuit against one of them.

Subsequently, the Ministry of Employment and Labor concluded that "there were acts that could be considered harassment" in Oh Yoanna's case. However, they also stated that "since she was not recognized as a worker under the Labor Standards Act, the workplace harassment regulations do not apply."

Tae Yuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr