On the final day of the government questioning... Ruling and opposition parties clash over the 'Oyoanna Hearing' power struggle

The case of the late freelance weathercaster Oh Yoanna is emerging as a variable that could influence the political landscape in February. While both ruling and opposition parties agree on the need to review the working conditions of non-regular freelance workers in light of this incident, they show differing views on response plans such as holding a parliamentary hearing.

Woo Won-shik, Speaker of the National Assembly, is striking the gavel during the government questioning session on economic issues held at the National Assembly plenary hall in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 13th. Photo by Yonhap News.

On the 14th, during the final day of the National Assembly’s government questioning session focusing on education, social, and cultural issues, the Oh case is expected to be a focal point. Questions are anticipated regarding measures to protect non-regular freelance workers from workplace harassment.

Generally, a freelancer refers to an independent contractor who is not officially affiliated with any specific company, organization, or group. Legally treated as an individual business owner rather than an employee, freelancers fall outside the protection of various labor laws such as the Labor Standards Act, placing them in a legal blind spot.

However, the ruling and opposition parties have shown differences over the issue of holding a hearing on the case of Oh, who was a weathercaster at MBC. The Democratic Party of Korea views the ruling party’s demand for a hearing as politically motivated, interpreting it as an attempt to politically pressure MBC, which is critical of the government and ruling party. This is why the Democratic Party aims to focus discussions on broader measures to protect freelance and platform workers from workplace harassment rather than on issues related to a specific company.

On the other hand, the People Power Party is pressing for a thorough investigation into the suicide note left by Oh and is pushing for a parliamentary hearing. Kim Sohee, a member of the National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee from the People Power Party, held an “Emergency Forum Urging an MBC Hearing on Workplace Harassment” at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building on the same day, stating, "The Environment and Labor Committee must hold a hearing to clearly identify responsibility."

Meanwhile, during the government questioning session on the same day, the investigation into the case of the late elementary school student Kim Haneul, who died after being stabbed by a teacher, and the establishment of measures to prevent recurrence are also expected to draw attention. Additionally, the ruling and opposition parties are likely to continue their disputes over the December 3 emergency martial law incident and the Constitutional Court’s impeachment trial of President Yoon Seok-yeol.