Prosecutors Seek 7-Year Sentence for Former NCT Member Taeil on Sexual Assault Charges

Prosecutors have requested a seven-year prison sentence for Taeil (31, Moon Taeil), a former member of the K-pop group NCT, who has been indicted without detention on charges of quasi-rape.

On the 18th, the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Agreement Division 26 (Chief Judge Lee Hyun-kyung) held the first trial for Taeil and his accomplices, identified as Mr. Lee and Mr. Hong, who are accused of violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes.

The prosecution stated, "The defendants are involved in a gang rape case of a foreign female tourist, making the matter extremely serious with highly malicious conduct," and requested the court to sentence each of the three individuals to seven years in prison.

It has been reported that Taeil and his accomplices discussed sending the victim away in a taxi to a location different from the crime scene after the incident. The prosecution pointed out, "There was an intention to prevent the victim, who is a foreigner, from remembering the crime scene or to hinder police tracking." They further questioned the sincerity of the defendants' remorse and reflection on the incident.

Taeil's attorney argued, "The victim has accepted the apology and expressed a desire not to punish Taeil to the investigative authorities." The lawyer added that Taeil is remorseful, has completed a sexual crime prevention program, and is undergoing psychological counseling, vowing not to repeat the same mistake. In his final statement, Taeil expressed, "I am sorry to everyone who felt disappointed in me."

The sentencing for Taeil is scheduled for the 10th of next month. Taeil was brought to trial for allegedly sexually assaulting an intoxicated woman with two acquaintances in June of last year. The charge of quasi-rape applies when two or more individuals engage in sexual intercourse with a person who is unable to resist.

Taeil debuted in 2016 with NCT's first unit, NCT U, and was the eldest member and main vocalist of NCT 127. He was expelled from the group and his agency, SM Entertainment, after it was revealed in August of last year that he was involved in a criminal case related to sexual offenses.