Former group NCT member Taeil has been sentenced to imprisonment and taken into custody.
On the 10th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 26 (Director General Lee Hyun-kyung) sentenced Taeil and two others to 3 years and 6 months in prison for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes (special rape). Additionally, they were ordered to complete 40 hours of sexual violence treatment programs, notified of personal information disclosure, and were banned from employment at child and adolescent-related institutions as well as institutions for people with disabilities for five years.
The court noted, "As a prison sentence is determined in the first instance, there is a concern for escape, thus a detention warrant is issued," and took him into custody.
Earlier, on June 13 last year at around 2:33 a.m., Taeil and two friends allegedly incapacitated a Chinese woman they met at a bar in Itaewon, Yongsan District, Seoul, and transported her by taxi to their residence in Bangbae-dong, where they allegedly gang-raped her while she was unconscious.
As a result, Taeil was expelled from the group NCT and had his exclusive contract with SM Entertainment terminated. SM Entertainment stated, "We have recently confirmed that Taeil has been prosecuted in connection with a sexual crime. While determining the facts related to this matter, we recognized the seriousness of the situation and decided that he could no longer continue team activities, discussing it with Taeil, leading to the decision for his departure from the team."
During the first trial held on the 18th of last month, the three individuals acknowledged all their charges, and Taeil expressed, "I am truly sorry to everyone who feels disappointed in me," and pleaded, "If you show leniency, I will consider it the last opportunity given to me in my life and will do my best to live while contributing to society in any way possible."
The prosecution pointed out, "The defendants discussed deliberately sending the victim to a different place from the crime scene while transporting her after the crime. Utilizing the fact that the victim was a foreign national, there was an intention to make her forget the crime scene or prevent the police from pursuing them," adding, "Considering the defendants' claims, I have significant doubts about whether they sincerely repent and reflect on the incident," and requested a sentence of 7 years.
Source: https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-e…7C37BKUJFW5GMYZMDKHTD4JM/
Ex-NCT member Taeil sentenced to 3 years, 6 months for rape
Taeil, a former member of boy band NCT, was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and was immediately taken into custody on Thursday.
The Seoul Central District Court issued the ruling the same day to the 31-year-old, whose real name is Moon Tae-il, and two others, surnamed Hong and Lee, on charges of special quasi-rape under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes.
Special quasi-rape refers to the act of sexual assault committed by at least two individuals or by one carrying a weapon, against a person who is unable to resist, such as being in a state of unconsciousness.
“The crime is of grave nature, as the defendants sexually assaulted the victim at the defendant Lee’s house by exploiting the fact that she was under the influence and incapable of resistance,” the court said. “We can only assume that the victim, who is a female foreigner, is deeply traumatized.
“However, considering that the defendants are first-time offenders, have acknowledged their crimes and have reached a settlement with the victim, who does not wish for punishment, the defendants are granted leniency with a weaker sentence.”
Taeil was indicted without detention in March following allegations that he and the two others raped the heavily intoxicated victim at Lee’s residence after meeting at a bar in Itaewon, central Seoul. Taeil was removed from NCT and his contract with then-agency, SM Entertainment, was terminated.
Prosecutors had initially requested a seven-year sentence for the three defendants last month.
Source: https://koreajoongangdaily.joi…or-sexual-assault/2349977
