Family of Late Yoanna Oh Announces Hunger Strike Ahead of First Anniversary
"MBC Shows No Will to Resolve the Issue"
As the first anniversary of the death of MBC weathercaster Yoanna Oh, who died after reporting workplace harassment, approaches, her family has announced that they will begin a hunger strike demanding resolution of the case.
On September 4, Oh's mother, Jang Yeonmi, released an appeal stating, "Ahead of Yoanna's first anniversary, I am going to stop eating. I am starting this hunger strike to honor the wishes of my child who died so tragically." Jang continued, "We met with Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation twice, delivered our demands, and called for a resolution, but there has been no sincerity or willingness to resolve the issue. Instead, they are deceiving the bereaved family through media manipulation."
Jang also said, "The actions of the seniors who drove Yoanna to her death, as well as those of Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation, were truly horrific. I have come to realize that the broadcasting company recruits young women, exploits them, and grinds them down to produce broadcasts." She added, "Through this fight, I learned that it was not only Yoanna who suffered. Many young people in the broadcasting and media industry are enduring pain just like our Yoanna. Please help us resolve this issue before the first anniversary and ensure that such a tragedy never happens again at Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation."
Jang plans to begin her hunger strike in front of the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation headquarters in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, on September 8, one week before the first anniversary of Oh's death. The bereaved family is demanding that MBC: ▲ issue a public apology and acknowledge responsibility for her death through a national press conference ▲ pledge to prevent recurrence ▲ restore her honor and dignity by awarding an honorary employee ID card ▲ and improve the employment structure and working conditions for non-regular workers.
With the first anniversary approaching, the broadcasting union and civic groups have also announced that they will launch a memorial week of action starting September 8, demanding measures to prevent recurrence. On September 3, the Citizens' Coalition for Media Reform released an appeal, saying, "Over the past year, countless citizens have mourned the death of weathercaster Yoanna Oh and called for solutions to the problems facing freelance and non-regular workers in broadcasting. However, President Ahn Hyungjun and MBC have closed their eyes and ears, ignoring the demands of the bereaved family and civil society organizations. We ask all those who remember Yoanna Oh and who wish to help resolve the issue of non-regular freelance workers in broadcasting to join us in solidarity and support."
Oh joined MBC as a weathercaster in 2021 and suddenly passed away at the age of 28 in September last year. News of her death did not become public until three months later, in December, when suspicions emerged that she had been harassed by some colleagues. In May of this year, the Ministry of Employment and Labor conducted an investigation into Oh's workplace harassment case and concluded that "acts of harassment did occur." However, considering the specific nature of the weathercaster position, the ministry determined that it was difficult to classify her as a "worker" under the Labor Standards Act and therefore did not apply the workplace harassment regulations.
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