K-pop star NCT’s Taeil arrested and sentenced to prison for sexual assault

Taeil has been sentenced following his first hearing.

On June 18, the prosecution sought a seven-year prison term for Taeil and his co-defendants, Mr. Lee and Mr. Hong, on charges of aggravated quasi-rape.

On July 10, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 26 handed down a sentence of three years and six months in prison to Taeil and the two others for violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (Aggravated Quasi-Rape). In addition, the court ordered them to complete 40 hours of sexual violence education and imposed a five-year employment ban at institutions involving children or adolescents.

The court explained, “The defendants admitted to the crime, and based on the evidence, they are found guilty. The victim was in a state of helplessness due to intoxication, and the crime was committed at Mr. Lee’s residence. The foreign tourist is experiencing significant psychological trauma as she was assaulted in an unfamiliar place. However, the court considered the fact that the defendants were first-time offenders and that the victim did not wish to pursue punishment as favourable factors.”

Taeil’s legal counsel had requested leniency, citing a written confession submitted to the authorities. The court rejected this, stating, “Since the confession came after the search and seizure of the defendant, it cannot be considered voluntary surrender and thus does not warrant sentence reduction.”

When asked by the judge if the defendants had any comments regarding the arrest, Taeil remained silent.

The charges relate to an incident in June of last year, in which Taeil and his accomplices allegedly sexually assaulted an intoxicated foreign woman while she was unconscious. Taeil initially faced trial without detention but was taken into custody following the sentencing.