Taeyil (31, real name Moon Taeyil), a former member of the group NCT, who was arrested on charges of special rape, appealed the first trial's prison sentence, but the court did not accept it.
On the 17th, the 11-3 Criminal Division of the Seoul High Court held a sentencing date for Taeyil and two others who were indicted for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes (special rape).
Before the sentencing, the defendants, including Taeyil, appeared in brown suits, bowing their heads as they awaited the court's decision.
On this day, the court dismissed the appeals from the three defendants, including Taeyil, as well as the prosecution, maintaining the original sentence.
Previously, the first trial court sentenced Taeyil and the other two to 3 years and 6 months in prison. The prosecution sought a 7-year sentence again in the second trial, but the sentence did not increase.
At that time, the prosecution emphasized, “The crime is serious and the nature of the offense is poor,” stating, “Even if the victim agreed, a comprehensive review of the case shows that the first trial was excessively lenient.”
On the other hand, Taeyil's side expressed that they had reached an agreement with the victim and pleaded for leniency. Taeyil stated, “I am well aware that the wounds the victim has suffered cannot be fully healed by any words or actions,” and added, “Once again, I sincerely apologize to the victim.”
The defendants received a prison sentence along with a 40-hour sexual violence treatment program and a 5-year employment restriction order related to child and youth institutions.
Before this sentencing, Taeyil submitted an apology letter on the 13th, showing an attempt to reduce his sentence.
Taeyil is accused of raping a woman who was intoxicated along with two acquaintances in June last year. The Women's and Children's Crime Investigation Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office indicted Taeyil and two accomplices on charges of special rape under the Sexual Violence Punishment Act in February.
Despite being accused of sexual crimes, Taeyil concealed this fact and engaged in comeback activities. It was revealed that he conducted a live broadcast on SNS and interacted with fans the day after he was charged, on June 14 of last year.
Additionally, he attended the NCT 127 8th Anniversary Fan Meeting two months later in August. After his sexual crime became known and controversy arose, his agency announced in mid-August that they had first learned of the incident, stating his withdrawal from the team and the termination of his exclusive contract.
Taeyil debuted in 2016 as part of NCT's first unit NCT U and has since been active as a member of NCT and NCT 127.
[Ji Seung-hoon, Star Today Reporter]
