MBC Abolishes Freelance Weathercaster System

Introduction of the Weather and Climate Specialist System

The mother of the late Oh Yoanna, who died due to workplace harassment during her time as an MBC weathercaster, along with representatives from the civic group Ending Credit and Workplace Bullying 119, are holding a press conference in front of the National Policy Planning Committee in Jongno-gu, Seoul, in July to announce the bereaved family's demands. Photo by Yonhap News

MBC will abolish its freelance weathercaster system.

On September 15, MBC announced, "We are introducing a new 'Weather and Climate Specialist' system, under which professionals will be responsible for gathering and producing content on weather and climate information to deliver to viewers."

Weather and Climate Specialists will be full-time employees, selected from applicants who have majored in weather, climate, or environmental fields, hold relevant certifications, or have at least five years of industry experience. Current freelance weathercasters are also eligible to apply. MBC plans to conduct an open recruitment either at the end of this year or early next year.

This system reform was announced to coincide with the first anniversary of the late Oh Yoanna, an MBC weathercaster. Oh passed away in September last year after reporting workplace harassment.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor, in a special labor inspection, determined that she was not an employee under the Labor Standards Act, but did find that harassment occurred within MBC.

MBC stated, "We offer our condolences to the late Oh and extend our sympathies to her family," adding, "If an agreement is reached between the parties in the civil lawsuit, we will release the findings of the fact-finding committee."

On the afternoon of September 15, a memorial event was held in front of MBC headquarters in Mapo-gu, Seoul, to commemorate Oh Yoanna, who died in September last year after reporting workplace harassment. Her mother urged for protective measures for freelancers, stating, "To prevent a second Yoanna, the law prohibiting workplace harassment must be applied to all workers."