What Really Happened At MBC? Investigation of Late Weathercaster’s Suicide Death Reaches Unexpected Conclusion

The Ministry of Employment and Labor has reached a rare, exceptional conclusion.

Earlier in 2025, as a will saved on her cellphone was discovered, it was revealed that MBC‘s weathercaster Oh Yoanna had taken her own life after enduring workplace harassment. Since then, the bereaved took legal steps against MBC and the bullies named in the will and past records, like messages, recorded phone calls, and diaries.

Has the bereaved seen progress in their endeavors? Yes, and a meaningful one. As of May 18, 2025 (KST), South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor has concluded that there were, in fact, “acts that could be considered workplace bullying” in the case of Oh Yoanna.

MBC Weathercaster’s Suicide Death Reveals Workplace Bullying Swept Under The Rug

SBS reported that, although the Ministry determined that freelance weathercasters are not technically classified as employees under the current law, it concluded that workplace harassment did occur—a decision reached after a three-month investigation.

This is significant in Oh Yoanna’s case because, at first, Oh Yoanna was not considered a formal employee of MBC as weathercasters are not exclusively contracted to one broadcasting station and often working across multiple outlets or being affiliated with other agencies/management companies.

This meant, per usual, the Ministry would have denied investigating her workplace bullying allegation since “the person in question is not recognized as an employee.”

Bullies Revealed: Names, Faces, And Group Chat Logs of MBC Weathercasters Who Harassed The Late Oh Yoanna

Against all odds, however, the Ministry concluded that there were “bullying” behaviors, constituting “workplace harassment.” While the final results of the special labor inspection on MBC remain under review, the Ministry’s conclusion about Oh Yoanna having been bullied at work will surely affect the civil lawsuit against one of the four fellow weathercasters identified as perpetrators of the workplace harassment.

Read more:

What Will Happen To The MBC Bullies? One Loses Job Over Massive Scandal