Moon Taeil, a former member of the South Korean boy group NCT, was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for rape. The Seoul Central District Court read the verdict on Thursday (July 10, 2025) after Taeil admitted his guilt.
Previously, prosecutors had demanded a seven-year prison sentence for Taeil, in accordance with the Sexual Crimes Act. Taeil, along with two male accomplices, was found guilty of raping a drunken foreign woman in June 2024.
Taking several considerations into account, the court handed down a sentence significantly lighter than the prosecutor's demand. One reason was that this was Taeil's first case. Despite the reduced sentence, Taeil is still appealing the 3-year, 6-month prison sentence.
Taeil's first appeal hearing took place on Wednesday (September 17, 2025). On that occasion, Taeil expressed his regret and apology. "I acknowledge my mistake and regret it. I know the victim's wounds cannot be healed by any words or actions on my part.
I sincerely apologize," Moon Taeil said on Wednesday (September 17, 2025), as reported by Star News Korea. "It was an irresponsible and foolish act. I apologize for causing irreparable harm, and I will live the rest of my life in atonement," he continued.
Taeil's lawyer also presented a defense and requested a reduced sentence for his client. According to the lawyer, Taeil had been living a good life and that the rape was unplanned. "Since he was young, he has been a public figure, working without major problems.
He has no criminal record. He also consistently volunteered for charities, and even those who knew him appealed for leniency," said Taeil's attorney. Meanwhile, Taeil's appeal decision will be read out on October 17, 2025.
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