“One year after Oh Yo-anna’s death, MBC under fire for abolishing freelance weather presenter system”. September 16 2025

South Korean broadcaster MBC has come under fire after announcing the abolition of its freelance weather presenter system on the first anniversary of the death of Oh Yo-anna, a former presenter who left a suicide note describing workplace harassment.

On 15 September, MBC stated: “We offer our deepest condolences to the late Oh and her bereaved family,” while revealing its plan to abolish the weather presenter system. Instead, it proposed a new scheme for full-time “weather and climate experts.” (…) Applicants must hold a degree or qualification related to meteorology, climate, or the environment, or have over five years of experience in the field. MBC added that existing freelance presenters would also be eligible to apply.

Labour and civil society groups criticised the move, arguing that it fails to acknowledge Oh’s labour rights. Ending Credit and Workplace Gapjil 119 said MBC’s announcement “entirely denies the late Oh Yo-anna’s status as a worker.” They pointed out that freelance weather presenters, if not rehired, are effectively dismissed—meaning this reform falls far short of the calls to formalise their employment.

Oh joined MBC in 2021 and died in September 2024 after leaving a note detailing harassment from a colleague. A special labour inspection by the Ministry of Employment and Labour later confirmed the abuse, but ruled that labour protections under the Labour Standards Act could not be applied due to her classification as a freelancer.