Former NCT Member Taeil admits to rape charges

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The Korean vocalist admits to charges in a quasi-rape case alongside two accomplices

MANILA, Philippines — Former NCT member Moon Tae-il admitted on June 18 to rape charges in a quasi-rape case, alongside two accomplices who also violated the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes.

On June 19, the 26th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court held the first trial against the former K-pop idol and the two other accused individuals for allegedly gang-raping an intoxicated Chinese female tourist on June 13, 2024. 

According to Korea’s Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, quasi-rape charges are usually given when two or more individuals commit sexual acts on an individual who is physically unable to provide consent or is in a state of unconsciousness.

As a result of their sexual misconduct charges, the prosecutor recommended a 7-year sentence each for all three of the defendants. They also requested that the court require the men to disclose their personal information, to enroll in a sexual violence treatment program, and have a 10-year employment ban imposed on them, based on reports published by the Maeil Business Newspaper.

Based on a report published by The Korea Times, Moon-Tae-il filed an appeal for leniency. Expressing remorse for his actions, he said: “I’m sorry to all the people who felt disappointed.”

The accused also submitted their letters, in hopes that this may influence their sentencing; however, the prosecution argued  that “[…] this cannot be seen as a genuine surrender. They only came forward after being identified and raided by police.”

According to the Maeil Business Newspaper, Taeil and the other two men are continuing to plead for a more lenient sentence, as their team emphasized that the crime was accidental and not intentionally planned out. 

They also added that Taeil was cooperative with the police investigations and is currently completing a sexual crime prevention program to ensure that he does not commit the same crime again.

Based on a Manila Bulletin report, Taeil’s legal team also appealed that the court consider the economic and financial difficulties this case has had on the former K-pop idol’s family when considering his final sentence. 

This comes nearly a year after Taeil was officially removed from NCT last August after his sexual misconduct charge was announced to the public. 

As of this writing, his sentencing will take place on July 10. – Mika Layda/Rappler.com

Mika Layda is a Rappler intern studying Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in English Literature at the Ateneo de Manila University.