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Former K-Pop idol Taeil sentenced to 3 and a half years in jail after Supreme Court dismisses appeal

Article (news)

Alyana De Guzman

Push Team

<div><em>Content warning: This article mentions rape and sexual assault. </em></div><p>Former NCT member Moon Taeil has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison after being found guilty of aggravated rape. </p><p>On December 26, the Supreme Court’s First Division, led by Justice Seo Kyung-hwan, dismissed the final appeal filed by Taeil and his two co-defendants, identified by the surnames Lee and Hong. The Supreme Court also upheld the original prison sentence of three and a half years initially set by a lower court, marking the conclusion of the legal process that has been closely watched both locally and internationally. </p><p>The three men were charged under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes for “aggravated rape”.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/6/19/ex-k-pop-idol-taeil-admits-to-rape-7-year-sentence-recommended-report-0832" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Ex-K-pop idol Taeil admits to rape, 7-year sentence recommended: reports</strong></a></div><p>The case dates back to an incident on June 2024. Taeil and the two others were charged for sexually assaulting an intoxicated Chinese tourist at Lee’s residence in Bangbae, Seocho District, Seoul. Investigators found that the woman was unable to resist due to her intoxicated condition at the time of the assault. </p><p>According to reports from South Korean media, the victim had met the three men at a club in Itaewon, Seoul. After becoming heavily intoxicated, she was taken to the residence where the assault took place. Authorities later confirmed that DNA evidence from all three defendants was found on the victim, which prosecutors said supported the conclusion that the crime was carried out planned and collectively. </p><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1766918349983image.jpg" style="width:660px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>According to the Korea Legislation Research Institute, Article 4 (aggravated rape, etc.) of the law states that: </p><p>“(1) A person who commits a crime prescribed in Article 297 of the Criminal Act, carrying any weapon or other dangerous object or jointly with any other person(s), shall be punished by imprisonment for life or for not less than five years. </p><p>(2) A person who commits a crime prescribed in Article 298 of the Criminal Act in the manner under paragraph (1) shall be punished by imprisonment for a fixed term of not less than three years. </p><p>(3) A person who commits a crime prescribed in Article 299 of the Criminal Act in the manner under paragraph (1) shall be punished according to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (2).” </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/7/10/ex-k-pop-star-taeil-gets-3-year-prison-term-for-sexual-crime-report-1506" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Ex-K-pop star Taeil gets 3-year prison term for sexual crime: report</strong></a></div><p>The seriousness of the case was reflected early in the trial. The legal process formally began last February, with the first trial held on June 18. Prosecutors initially sought a seven-year prison sentence for Taeil. </p><p>On July 10, the Seoul Central District Court found Taeil and the two others guilty and sentenced them to three and a half years in prison. Following this, the court ordered Taeil’s immediate detention, signaling the court’s view of the gravity of the offense. </p><p>Following the verdict, the three filed appeals. Taeil’s legal team asked for a reduced sentence, arguing that he had voluntarily turned himself in. However, the appeal was denied. On October 17, the Seoul High Court dismissed all appeals filed. </p><p>“The appeals of both the defendant and the prosecution are dismissed,” the Seoul High Court ruled. </p><p>With the Supreme Court’s latest decision to uphold the lower court’s ruling, the sentence has now been finalized. In addition to prison time, Taeil and his co-defendants were ordered to complete a 40-hour sexual violence treatment program. They are also banned from working in institutions related to children, youth, and people with disabilities for five years. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/8/28/k-pop-star-taeil-leaves-nct-due-to-alleged-sex-offense-1845" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: K-pop star Taeil leaves NCT due to alleged sex offense</strong></a></div><p>It was on August 2024 when Taeil’s removal from NCT was announced. SM Entertainment confirmed that he had been expelled from the group due to the criminal case. </p><p>“We have recently learned that Taeil has been accused in a criminal case related to a sexual crime. While assessing the facts, we recognized the gravity of the matter and decided that he could no longer continue his team activities. After discussing it with Taeil, we decided to have him leave the team. Taeil is currently cooperating faithfully with the police investigation, and we will provide additional information as the investigation progresses. We deeply apologize for the controversy caused by our artist,” the agency said.</p>

<p>Former NCT member Moon Taeil has been ordered to serve three and a half years in prison after South Korea’s Supreme Court dismissed his final appeal. The ruling brings an end to the legal case that stemmed from his conviction for aggravated rape. </p>

Former NCT member Moon Taeil has been ordered to serve three and a half years in prison after South Korea’s Supreme Court dismissed his final appeal. The ruling brings an end to the legal case that stemmed from his conviction for aggravated rape.