On 10/7, the 26th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Taeil and two accomplices, Lee and Hong, to prison for aggravated sexual assault under the Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes.

All three received a sentence of 3 years and 6 months each, along with 40 hours of sexual violence treatment, public disclosure of personal information, and a 5-year ban from working at facilities related to children and adolescents.

Taeil, 31, was not initially detained because he confessed to the crime and showed no signs of fleeing. However, he was arrested in court immediately after sentencing.

The court stated, "The nature of the crime is serious because the defendants committed multiple sexual assaults while the victim was intoxicated and unable to resist. The victim, a foreign tourist, suffered great mental anguish from being attacked in an unfamiliar place."

However, the judge also noted mitigating factors, such as the defendants' first-time offense, confession, and reaching a settlement with the victim. At the hearing on 18/6, the prosecution sought a 7-year prison sentence for Taeil and his accomplices.

Moon Taeil attending an event before the sexual assault scandal. Photo: Yonhap

Moon Taeil attending an event before the sexual assault scandal. Photo: Yonhap

Taeil was accused of sexually assaulting an intoxicated foreign woman in June 2024, along with two accomplices. In August 2024, police summoned Taeil as a suspect. The singer was indicted by the prosecution on 28/2.

Taeil debuted in 2016 as a member of NCT's first sub-unit, NCT U. He was the oldest member and main vocalist of NCT 127. Because he wasn't detained during the investigation, Taeil concealed the incident and continued his artistic activities. He even attended a fan meeting in August 2024 to celebrate the 8th anniversary of NCT 127's debut.

When the scandal came to light, Taeil was removed from NCT and his contract with SM Entertainment was terminated in October 2024.

Tue Anh (according to YNA)