Former K-pop idol Taeil's admits guilt to sexual assault charge, prosecution seeks 7-year sentence
Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of sexual assault.
The prosecution is seeking a seven-year sentence for former K-pop idol Taeil for rape charges.
In the first hearing on June 18, the prosecutors requested a seven-year sentence each for Taeil, a former member of the South Korean boy band NCT, and his co-defendants, identified as Lee and Hong, for the sexual crime involving a female foreign tourist.
“As the case involves the gang rape of a foreign female tourist, this is an extremely serious matter of very poor criminal nature," the prosecutors said, per local media Soompi.
“The defendants even suggested sending the victim away by taxi to a location different from where the crime occurred, intending to confuse her about the location or make it difficult for the police to track the case. This shows a deliberate attempt to obstruct investigation, particularly exploiting the fact that the victim is a foreigner," they added.
According to local media The Korea Herald and Korea JoongAng Daily, Taeil and his co-defendants allegedly raped a "very intoxicated" Chinese national tourist. The incident allegedly happened at Lee's residence.
“Given the statements from the defendants, it’s highly questionable whether they are genuinely remorseful and repenting. Although a written settlement was submitted, we ask [the court] to consider the seriousness of the crime in determining the sentence.”
All three defendants, including Taeil, admitted to the charges during Wednesday’s hearing.
Per the report, the defendants' attorneys asked the court to consider the letters they've submitted admitting their guilt last August 2024, but the prosecution said that it was only done after the police conducted a search and seizure two months after the incident, hence, failing to meet the "legal requirements for voluntary surrender and undermines its intended meaning.”
Meanwhile, Taeil's attorney said that a settlement with the victim was made.
“The victim accepted the apology and expressed that she did not wish for his punishment. In penitence for his wrongdoings, he completed a sexual violence prevention program and has undergone psychological counseling, vowing never to repeat the same mistake again," Taeil's legal counsel said.
For his part, the former K-pop idol said he feels "so apologetic to everyone who felt disappointed in me."
"If I am granted leniency, I will consider it the last chance of my life and contribute at least a little to society in any way I can and do my best in life," he said.
The K-pop star, whose real name is Moon Tae-il, debuted with NCT in April 2016 and was part of sub-units NCT U and NCT 127. He has been on hiatus since August 2023 following a motorcycle accident injury.
It was on Aug. 28, 2024, when he departed from the K-pop group following a "criminal case related to a sexual crime." During that time, his agency stated that the issue was "very serious," making them decide to remove him from the boy band.
The sentencing hearing for Taeil and his co-defendants is set for October.
