25.10.17.Today News : Former NCT Member Moon Tae-il Sentenced to 3 Years and 6 Months in Prison for Gang Rape in Appeal Trial

Former NCT Member Moon Tae-il Sentenced to 3 Years and 6 Months in Prison for Gang Rape in Appeal Trial

📍Court Rejects Plea for Leniency Over “Self-Surrender” Claim

Moon Tae-il, a former member of the idol group NCT, was sentenced to three years and six months in prison on appeal for raping a foreign tourist along with accomplices. The court rejected arguments for a reduced sentence, maintaining the original ruling from the first trial.

Moon Tae-il, formerly of the idol group NCT, was sentenced to three years and six months in prison in the second trial on charges of sexually assaulting a foreign female tourist.

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🔹 Appeal Dismissed, Sentence Upheld
On October 17, the Seoul High Court’s 11-3 Criminal Division upheld Moon Tae-il’s conviction for special quasi-rape under the Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes. Both the prosecution and the defense appealed, but the court dismissed both appeals, affirming the initial sentence of three years and six months in prison.

The court stated, “Although the defendants claim that their voluntary surrender should have been considered a mitigating factor, their actions and statements do not indicate genuine self-reporting.”

It added, “The existence of leniency in other similar cases does not automatically justify mitigation in this case.”

🔹 Co-Defendants Receive Same Sentences
Two co-defendants, surnamed Lee and Hong, were also sentenced to three years and six months in prison. All three were immediately taken into custody.

The court emphasized that the sentence was within the lower bound of the guideline range, stating, “Considering all aggravating and mitigating factors, the original judgment falls within the reasonable scope of discretion.”

🔹 Assault on an Intoxicated Foreign Tourist
According to prosecutors, Moon and his accomplices met the victim, a foreign tourist, at a club in Itaewon, Seoul, around 2:30 a.m. in June 2024. After drinking together, they took the heavily intoxicated woman to one accomplice’s home and sexually assaulted her.

Investigations revealed that after the assault, the men attempted to cover up the crime by sending the victim away from a different location to conceal the scene.

🔹 First Trial: “Highly Depraved Crime Exploiting Victim’s Helpless State”
The first trial found Moon guilty, stating, “The defendants took advantage of the victim’s incapacitated state due to intoxication and engaged in successive sexual acts. The crime is extremely serious and morally reprehensible.”

Moon was also ordered to complete 40 hours of sexual violence treatment and prohibited from working at institutions related to children, adolescents, or persons with disabilities for five years.

🔹 Defendant’s Statement of Remorse
In his final statement, Moon said, “I admit all my wrongdoing and deeply repent. Watching my family collapse because of me made me realize how grave my mistake was. I will live the rest of my life repenting to the victim.”

His accomplices also pleaded for leniency but were denied by the court.

🔹 SM Entertainment Terminates Contract
Moon debuted with NCT in 2016 and was part of the subunits NCT U and NCT 127. Following the sexual assault allegations, SM Entertainment terminated his exclusive contract in October last year.

Industry insiders criticized his conduct, calling it “an act that betrays the social responsibility expected of public figures.”

One-line summary : Former NCT member Moon Tae-il was sentenced to three years and six months in prison on appeal for sexually assaulting an intoxicated foreign tourist with accomplices.