SEOUL, Oct 18 — The Seoul High Court has upheld the conviction of former NCT member Moon Tae-il, known professionally as Taeil, in a sexual assault case.
The court yesterday sentenced Taeil, 31, to three years and six months in prison for aggravated quasi-rape under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, according to Korea JoongAng Daily.
It also upheld identical sentences for two co-defendants, surnamed Lee and Hong, and ordered all three men to complete 40 hours of a sex offender treatment programme.
“The grounds for mitigation presented by the defendants are not sufficient,” the court said. “There was no error in the first court’s factual or sentencing decisions.”
The men are barred from working at institutions involving children, teenagers, or people with disabilities for five years.
In July, a district court convicted the trio of sexually assaulting a foreign woman who was too intoxicated to resist.
“The victim was under the influence of alcohol and unable to defend herself,” the judge wrote. “She was a tourist unfamiliar with her surroundings, and the crime likely caused serious psychological trauma.”
Police arrested Taeil and his co-defendants in June 2024 after the incident, which occurred following a night of drinking.
Taeil underwent his first police interrogation in August and was taken into custody immediately after his conviction in July.
He debuted with NCT in 2016 under SM Entertainment, one of South Korea’s largest entertainment agencies.
Following the allegations, SM Entertainment removed him from the group.
“Given the seriousness of the case, we decided he can no longer remain a member,” the company said at the time.
* If you are experiencing sexual violence, the following hotlines offer free and confidential support: Talian Kasih at 15999 or WhatsApp 019-2615999 (24/7); All Women’s Action Society at 016-2374221/016-2284221 (9.30am-5.30pm); and Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) at 03-30008858 or SMS/WhatsApp TINA 018-9888058 (24/7)
