MBC weathercaster the late Oh Yoanna, who was alleged to have suffered from workplace bullying during her lifetime, will have her first trial date today for a damages lawsuit filed against her by a colleague, identified as A, who has been named as the perpetrator.
On the 27th, the 48th Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Chief Judge Kim Do-kyun) will hold a trial date for the damages lawsuit related to workplace bullying filed by the deceased's family.
A did not submit any opinion to the court after the family filed the lawsuit last December. Consequently, the family submitted a request for a judgment date without a hearing on the 27th of last month, and the court designated March 27th as the judgment date. Although a judgment without a hearing was scheduled for that day, the defendant A appointed a legal representative on the 25th, two days before the judgment, and submitted a power of attorney along with a preparatory document, leading to a change to a trial.
If the defendant does not submit a response, the court will issue a judgment without a hearing, citing the plaintiff's claims. However, if the defendant submits a response, a trial will proceed.
The late Oh Yoanna passed away suddenly in September of last year. The news of her death was made public three months later, in December.
Subsequently, in January, a 17-page letter was discovered on the deceased's mobile phone, raising suspicions that she was a victim of workplace bullying.
In the letter written before her passing, it was reported that a weathercaster who joined MBC earlier made a false report and blamed it on her, and another weathercaster who joined earlier criticized her for pointing out incorrect information, saying, ‘How dare a junior point out to a senior,’ indicating circumstances of workplace bullying. Additionally, it was reported that there were numerous messages and recordings criticizing her for lacking skills, calling her to the company after work hours under the pretext of ‘needing to teach her,’ and preventing her from leaving work.
MBC has organized an investigation committee and has begun an investigation. The Mapo Police Station in Seoul has also received related complaints and is verifying the facts. Furthermore, the Seoul Regional Labor Office and the Seoul Western District Office have jointly formed a special labor supervision team to conduct special labor supervision against MBC.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
