The family of the late Oh Yoanna has spoken out regarding MBC weathercaster Kim Ga Young, who was effectively ousted from the broadcasting industry after being accused of being a perpetrator of workplace bullying.
On February 7, Jeon Sangeom, the family's attorney, appeared on TV Chosun’s News Stradamus and stated, “Among Oh Yoanna's colleagues, there was a primary perpetrator, while others simply followed along or stood by. However, the bereaved family does not intend to hurt the entire weather team.”
This statement comes as the revelation of Oh Yoanna’s workplace harassment has led to intense public criticism of weathercasters and those around them. In particular, Kim Ga Young, who gained public recognition through programs like 'Kick a Goal,' has stepped down from her shows and resigned as an ambassador for Paju City.
Attorney Jeon clarified that the family has only filed a civil lawsuit against one individual, adding, “We hope that colleagues who were not the direct perpetrators will offer a sincere apology and help uncover the truth. The family is prepared to open their hearts.”
He further stated, “Based on the available evidence, Kim Ga Young was not a direct perpetrator. The family is concerned that someone who was merely a bystander is being mistaken as the main aggressor.”
He urged the public to focus on the core issue of workplace harassment and systemic reform, warning against politicization or misleading narratives that could distort the essence of the case.
In summary, the family suggests that while Kim Ga Young was not a direct perpetrator, she and other colleagues should offer an apology. The individual they have identified as the direct perpetrator was revealed through the YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute.
On February 6, an unnamed family member 'A' of Oh Yoanna claimed in an interview with Garo Sero Research Institute, “Lee Hyun Seung is truly evil. Park Ha Myung had been persistently harassing Oh Yoanna for a long time, and Lee Hyun Seung was well aware of this.”
The family member further alleged, “After Oh Yoanna’s passing, Lee Hyun Seung told her mother on the phone that she would inform MBC’s news director and pay respects. However, she never did. Yesterday, MBC's secretary-general Ahn Hyung Joon and policy cooperation director Kim Jung Ho visited us. They shamelessly insisted that ‘Oh Yoanna’s case was an internal issue within the weather team and that no one else was aware of it.’ MBC also falsely claimed that the bereaved family did not want a death notice to be issued.”
Netizens continue to raise concerns about a possible cover-up, noting that MBC and its weathercasters have not issued any apologies and continue delivering weather reports as usual. On February 7, weathercaster Park Ha Myung appeared on MBC’s News Today as scheduled, prompting an outpouring of viewer complaints.
Oh Yoanna, who joined MBC as a weathercaster in 2021, tragically took her own life in September last year. The news of her passing only became known three months later, on December 10. The controversy escalated when a media outlet revealed on January 27 that Oh Yoanna had left a note detailing the harassment she suffered from a senior weathercaster.
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