On June 18, the first trial for former NCT member, Taeil, charged with special quasi-rape under the Sexual Violence Punishment Act, along with co-defendants Lee and Hong, was held at the 26th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Hyun-kyung).
Taeil and his accomplices are accused of meeting a victim at a bar in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, around 2:33 a.m. on June 13, 2024, drinking with her, then taking her by taxi to their residence in Bangbae-dong, where they allegedly gang-raped her while she was unconscious due to intoxication. Prosecutors have sought a seven-year prison sentence for Taeil and his co-defendants. According to evidence submitted by the prosecution, the group exchanged text messages during the crime, such as, “Take a taxi and get her out. Make it look like it happened somewhere else.”
The prosecution stated, “This is a grave case involving the group sexual assault of a foreign female tourist, with extremely heinous criminal conduct. The defendants even discussed sending the victim away in a taxi to a different location to obscure the crime scene and prevent police tracking, exploiting the fact that the victim was a foreigner.” They further emphasized, “It is highly questionable whether the defendants genuinely regret or reflect on their actions based on their claims.”
Regarding the defendants’ submission of a letter of surrender, the prosecution remarked, “Two months after the incident, police identified the defendants and conducted a search and seizure, after which they submitted a document labeled as a surrender. It is doubtful whether this qualifies as a genuine surrender under legal standards.”
Taeil’s defense argued, “Taeil deeply regrets causing profound harm to the victim and has expressed remorse through a public defender during the investigation. The victim accepted his apology and expressed a desire for leniency to the authorities. Taeil has completed a sexual offense prevention education program, undergone psychological counseling, and vowed never to repeat such actions.” They pleaded for leniency.
The defense also claimed that Taeil’s mother was forced to resign from her job due to the fallout from the sexual assault case, and Taeil is struggling financially, only engaging in minimal economic activity by helping at a friend’s restaurant, making it difficult to support his family. Taeil, who stated he is currently unemployed, bowed his head and said, “I am sorry to everyone who feels disappointed. If granted leniency, I will treat it as the last chance in my life and strive to contribute to society in any way possible.”
In March 2025, Taeil, along with Lee and Hong, was indicted without detention for sexually assaulting an intoxicated foreign woman in June 2024. SM Entertainment terminated Taeil’s exclusive contract and removed him from NCT. NCT members also unfollowed Taeil’s account, cutting ties with him.
The sentencing hearing for Taeil is scheduled for July 10, 2025, at 2 p.m.
