[Exclusive]"Will State Position Directly" — Prosecutor Targets Perpetrator of Late Oh Yo-an-na; Weathercaster Speaks

*This content was translated by AI.

Following the sudden passing of MBC weathercaster Oh Yo-an-na, a lawsuit for damages filed by her family citing workplace harassment issues proceeded with both weathercasters identified as perpetrators absent. However, the lawyer for one of the two cautiously expressed a position.

The Seoul Central District Court's Civil Consolidated Division 48 (Presiding Judge Kim Do-gyun) held the sixth trial session on the 18th regarding the wrongful death lawsuit related to workplace harassment of the late Oh Yo-an-na.

On this day, the court confirmed that among the four total witnesses, the two weathercasters identified as perpetrators were absent. One submitted a statement of non-appearance, while the other was confirmed to have not received service by public notice.

During the previously held fifth trial session, the court had announced plans to examine witnesses. However, since all four witnesses selected did not appear in court, the court stated, "We will proceed with address correction procedures for the two absent weathercasters. If they fail to appear again, we will consider imposing fines."

Those expected to appear for witness examination include the two weathercasters identified as perpetrators of the deceased's harassment, a colleague of the deceased, and a weather team PD requested by the defendant side.

The court subsequently decided to conduct the witness examination of the deceased's colleague weathercaster in closed session and scheduled to resume the witness examination of the weather team PD in August.

While the parties themselves did not appear, the lawyer for one of the weathercasters identified as a perpetrator appeared in court on this day. In an interview with StarNews, this lawyer stated, "I have been closely following this trial," and added, "I plan to state my position directly after the trial results." However, the lawyer refrained from commenting on reasons for non-appearance at witness examination or recent developments.

During the previously held fifth trial session, the court had announced plans to examine witnesses. However, since all four witnesses selected did not appear in court, the court stated, "We will proceed with address correction procedures for the two absent weathercasters. If they fail to appear again, we will consider imposing fines."

Those expected to appear for witness examination include the two weathercasters identified as perpetrators of the deceased's harassment, a colleague of the deceased, and a weather team PD requested by the defendant side.

In particular, the court determined that service of the summons to the two weathercasters identified as perpetrators likely failed due to reasons such as "no one at the residence." Additionally, the defendant side stated, "The weather team PD we requested will appear at the next session," while the family side indicated that closed examination of the colleague weathercaster they requested appeared necessary.

The family of the late Oh Yo-an-na submitted witness applications for three individuals in October 2025. The family's lawyer told StarNews, "We have applied to the court for witnesses, and it is our wish that all three appear on the witness stand."

The late Oh Yo-an-na passed away at the age of 28 in September 2024. The obituary became public three months after her death, in December 2024. Subsequently, allegations emerged that she had suffered workplace harassment from colleagues during her lifetime.

As the issue gained traction, MBC formed an investigation committee four months after Oh Yo-an-na's death, stating, "We have decided to establish an investigation committee led by external Jeon Mun-ga-reul (Chairman)." The broadcaster added, "We have conducted an internal self-investigation and plan to provide maximum support to quickly uncover the truth. We will make every effort to clarify the accurate facts so that the family's pain can be healed."

The Ministry of Employment and Labor also formed a special labor inspection team in February 2025 in collaboration with the Seoul Local Labor Office and the Seoul Western Branch, commencing special labor inspection of MBC. While concluding that "weathercasters do not qualify as employees," the ministry determined that "there were acts that could be considered harassment." The Ministry of Employment and Labor's recognition of workplace harassment occurred approximately eight months after the late Oh Yo-an-na's death.

Through an official statement, MBC stated, "We take the results of the Ministry of Employment and Labor's special labor inspection very seriously," and expressed condolences to the late Oh Yo-an-na and her family. The broadcaster continued, "We will make our best efforts to prioritize the establishment of measures to prevent recurrence, improve organizational culture, and comply with labor relations laws as the top management priority." It further stated, "We take the Ministry of Employment and Labor's judgment that 'there were acts of harassment against the late Oh Yo-an-na' seriously and will promptly undertake efforts to improve organizational culture. Appropriate measures will be taken regarding those involved." Additionally, MBC said, "Based on the 'organizational culture improvement plan' previously submitted to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, we are already implementing improvement measures. We will reconfirm and supplement any insufficient aspects in light of this announcement."

MBC stated, "We will further supplement and strengthen systems to improve issues that may arise between freelancers or between irregular workers as quickly as possible. We will expand and strengthen the currently operating Clean Center to enable immediate reporting and improvement of harassment or difficulties. Regardless of employment type, we will improve the system so that colleagues can report anonymously when they become aware of such issues." The broadcaster added, "Regarding the determination of employee status for some freelancers, we will conduct a legal review and implement appropriate measures as soon as possible." It concluded, "We once again apologize to the family for the unfortunate incident involving the late Oh Yo-an-na."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.