Source: My Daily
Former NCT Taeil (Moon Taeil) has been sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison on charges of sexual crimes.
On the 10th, the 26th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court held the first trial sentencing hearing for Taeil and two others, who were indicted on charges of violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (aggravated quasi-r*pe).
The court sentenced all 3 defendants to 3 years and 6 months in prison. Additionally, the court ordered them to complete 40 hours of sexual violence treatment programs, register their personal information, and imposed a five-year employment restriction from any institutions related to children or adolescents.
Taeil was immediately taken into custody following the sentencing. The court stated, "As a prison sentence has been handed down, we see a risk of flight and are issuing an arrest warrant."
Previously, Taeil and the other two were accused of gang-r*ping an intoxicated foreign woman at a residence in the Bangbae-dong area of Seocho-gu, Seoul in June last year.
At the first hearing held on June 18, all 3 admitted to the charges.
The prosecution stated, "This is an extremely serious case involving the gang r*pe of a foreign tourist. The nature of the crime is extremely vile. After the crime, the defendants even discussed sending the victim to a location different from the scene of the crime by taxi, in an apparent attempt to confuse her about the location or prevent police tracking. They clearly exploited the fact that she was a foreigner." Prosecutors requested a sentence of 7 years for each of the defendants.
Taeil’s side stated, "He is deeply remorseful and aware of the lasting trauma inflicted on the victim. Through his court-appointed attorney, he conveyed an apology to the victim, and she has expressed that she does not wish for punishment. Taeil has since voluntarily taken part in sex crime prevention education and counseling, and has vowed not to repeat such an offense. His mother had to quit her job because of this incident, and Taeil now only occasionally helps out at a friend’s restaurant. Their family is experiencing severe financial hardship," appealing for leniency.
In his final statement, Taeil said, "I am deeply sorry to everyone who feels disappointed in me. If given mercy, I will treat it as the final chance in my life and do everything I can to become someone who can contribute to society in some way."
Taeil debuted in 2016 as part of the NCT unit NCT U, and was active in NCT and NCT 127. SM Entertainment announced his withdrawal from the group in August last year after confirming the crime, and terminated his exclusive contract in October.
- [+147, -0] Should’ve sent him to China and made him stand trial there. Now that's special r*pe.
- [+120, -23] Over at Andong Dam [euphemism referencing protected criminal chaebols], even if it’s the same crime plus murder, nothing happens…
- [+73, -26] Moon Taeil, born 1994! Even after serving 3 years and 6 months and getting out, he’ll still be a young guy in his 30s. At that point, just go all in and join the "Just Touched Her Party" (wordplay on molestation); try out some fresh politics, youth politics. Go big with it!
- [+64, -0] This is way too light. If you hand out a slap on the wrist for crimes like this…aigoo.. he should’ve gotten decades!!
- [+35, -1] Chop it off and grill it.
- [+27, -1] Some get arrested, some walk free… how fun.
- [+26, -2] The agency that didn’t manage its idol, and the parents who raised a kid like that… sigh~
- [+22, -3] A man could live a perfectly normal life if he just kept his junk in check… it’s a shame… Guess the lower half took over his brain.
- [+20, -0] What’s the point of the prosecution requesting 7 years for gang r*pe when the judge always slashes it in half… 3.5 years for a gang r*pe? Are you kidding me? Since when was that not a serious crime?
- [+19, -6] SM and YG are seriously messed up.
- [+14, -1] Everyone’s desperate to become an idol, and here you are throwing away the chance to make stupid amounts of money all because of one girlㅋ
- [+12, -0] Sexual violence should start at 10 years minimum—first offense, settlement, whatever. Same goes for DUI accidents…
- [+9, -2] Sniff sniff smells like a secretary… sniff sniff 🐵🐒⛰️🎋 [mocking tone referencing political/ chaebol scandals]
- [+8, -0] A tourist was gang-r*ped, and all he gets is 3 years and 6 months? How is that even real? Even if it wasn’t a group crime, 3.5 years would piss me off. For gang r*pe, it should be treated like attempted murder!!
- [+6, -0] The K-pop image is in the gutter.