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MBC Apologizes to Family of Late Weathercaster, Signs Settlement Pledging Reforms

The move follows a year-long campaign after officials confirmed harassment, with freelancers ruled outside workplace-harassment protections.

Overview

  • MBC President Ahn Hyeong-jun issued a formal apology on Oct. 15 and signed a settlement with Oh Yoanna’s mother at the broadcaster’s Seoul headquarters.
  • The agreement provides compensation, commits to a memorial space inside MBC by Sept. 15, 2026, and includes a pledge by both sides to refrain from further legal action.
  • Reform commitments include ending the freelance weathercaster system and shifting to full-time weather experts beginning in 2026, though detailed implementation plans remain unspecified.
  • MBC says it created a role to handle grievances from non-regular workers and is conducting harassment-prevention training, acknowledging current law covers only employed workers.
  • Specifics on individuals named in Oh’s notes were not disclosed due to an ongoing lawsuit, while MBC is also reviewing a broader conversion of other non-regular staff, according to internal discussions reported by The Korea Herald.