The late Oh Yoanna's 'Workplace Bullying' Damages Lawsuit Hearing Date Set for the 27th

No Statement Submitted by Defendant, Court Schedules Ruling Date

The family of the late MBC weathercaster Oh Yoanna has raised allegations of workplace harassment and filed a damages lawsuit against a colleague of the deceased, with the court date for the ruling now set.

The late Oh Yoanna, who worked as a weathercaster at MBC. Oh Yoanna Instagram

According to the legal community on the 4th, the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 48 (Presiding Judge Kim Do-gyun) has scheduled the ruling date for the lawsuit filed by Oh’s family against fellow weathercaster A for the 27th of this month.

Since the family filed the lawsuit last December, it is reported that A’s side has not submitted any statements to the court. Consequently, Oh’s side submitted a request on the 27th of last month to designate a ruling date for a default judgment, and the court notified the ruling date.

Typically, if the defendant does not submit a response after the plaintiff files a complaint, the court may issue a default judgment in favor of the plaintiff without a trial. However, if the defendant later submits a response, the court cancels the ruling date and proceeds with the trial.

The late Oh Yoanna joined MBC in 2021 and worked as a weathercaster before suddenly passing away at the age of 28 last September. The news of her death was only revealed three months later in December, after which suspicions arose that Oh had suffered workplace harassment during her lifetime.

Based on a will found on the deceased’s cellphone, handwritten diaries, and KakaoTalk conversations, the family filed a civil lawsuit against a colleague believed to be the perpetrator of the harassment. The family’s complaint alleges that from October 2021 until her death, Oh endured verbal abuse and unfair orders from A for about two years, causing her severe distress.

As the controversy grew, MBC formed a fact-finding committee about four months after Oh Yoanna’s death and began an investigation. The Mapo Police Station in Seoul also received related complaints and announced that they are verifying the facts.

Employment and Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo also mentioned the case, urging a thorough investigation. Additionally, the Ministry of Employment and Labor has launched a preliminary investigation to determine whether the deceased, who was a freelancer, qualifies as a worker under the Labor Standards Act.