Taeyil (real name Moon Tae-il) from the group NCT appeared in court, acknowledging his crimes and expressing remorse.
On the 17th, the 11th-3 Criminal Division of the Seoul High Court held the first appeal trial regarding the charge of violating the Special Act on Sexual Violence Crimes against Taeyil and two other individuals. This trial took place about two months after the case was filed.
On this day, Taeyil appeared in court wearing a brown suit. Both the prosecution and Taeyil's side appealed, claiming that the three years and six months sentence from the first trial was unfair.
The prosecution stated, "The nature of the crime is poor and the case is serious. Even if there are reasons for leniency based on a settlement with the victim, the lower court's sentence is excessively lenient when considering the whole case," and requested the court to maintain the seven-year sentence.
In contrast, Taeyil's lawyer emphasized that Taeyil acknowledged the crime and cooperated actively with the investigation, stating, "Taeyil has lived as a sort of public figure since a young age without any major incidents. The incident occurred after drinking with the victim and moving to a residence. It was an intention to drink more, not to plan a crime."
Meanwhile, Taeyil was indicted on charges of raping an intoxicated foreign woman with two accomplices last June, and received a sentence of three years and six months in the first trial. The court also mandated him to complete 40 hours of a sexual violence treatment program and a five-year employment ban in related child and youth organizations.
Taeyil debuted as a member of NCT, but due to this controversy, SM Entertainment terminated his exclusive contract in October last year.