Korean 28-Year-Old Anchor Commits Suicide After Bullying; MBC Finally Apologizes
28-year-old South Korean weather anchor Oh Yoanna (오요안나) took her own life in September 2024 after enduring prolonged workplace bullying, leaving behind 17 letters detailing her mental distress. This incident sparked widespread social concern, prompting the Ministry of Labor to investigate and confirm the existence of workplace bullying. After three months of silence, MBC finally issued a public apology through its 'News Desk' program on May 19.
Despite Oh Yoanna not being a directly employed staff member of MBC, the Labor Ministry determined that bullying had occurred and fined MBC 15 million won. In its statement, MBC pledged to establish a new department to protect the rights of freelancers and promised to improve organizational culture, extending sincere condolences to Oh Yoanna's family for her untimely death.
