Moon Taeil, a former member of the K-pop group NCT, is at the center of a serious criminal case involving the sexual assault of an intoxicated foreign woman. During the first official trial held on June 18, Taeil admitted to the charges alongside two male accomplices. The prosecution, based on the severity of the crime and the evidence gathered, requested a seven-year prison sentence for all three men, according to Korean media outlet Maeil Business Newspaper.
Taeil is facing charges under the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes. At the Seoul Central District Court, he admitted to participating in the sexual assault of a heavily intoxicated woman in June 2024. The case has been widely reported and has attracted public attention due to Taeil’s past celebrity status and the disturbing nature of the allegations.
After the defendants confessed to the crime, the prosecution not only asked for seven years in prison but also recommended that Taeil face ten years of employment restrictions. This was likely requested to prevent him from working in any professional capacity, especially one involving public influence or trust, for a significant time.
Taeil’s lawyer argued for a lighter sentence, claiming the act was not premeditated and emphasizing that Taeil had shown remorse. According to the defense, Taeil voluntarily submitted a letter of surrender to the police and reached a private agreement with the victim. They presented this as evidence of Taeil’s willingness to take responsibility for his actions and tried to frame the incident as a one-time, unplanned mistake.
However, the prosecution presented evidence to counter these claims, stating that Taeil played an active role in the sequence of events. They said that he assisted in putting the victim into a taxi, which led directly to the place where the assault occurred. Additionally, the prosecution introduced KakaoTalk messages between the defendants. These texts reportedly included discussions about making sure the woman didn’t fall asleep and plans for where to take her. The prosecution said these messages were proof that the crime was not accidental but rather organized in advance.
The final ruling in the case is expected on July 10. Until then, Taeil remains under public and legal scrutiny as the court considers both the evidence and the arguments from each side.