On July 10, at approximately 2 PM KST, the 26th criminal division of the Seoul Central District Court handed down a sentence of 3 years and 6 months in prison to former NCT member Taeil (31) and two other defendants. The court also ordered all three to complete 40 hours of educational programming focused on sexual violence. Furthermore, they must register as sexual offenders in their neighborhoods, a measure designed to keep the community informed about their presence.
In addition to the prison sentence and registration, the court imposed a ban preventing the defendants from working in any profession related to children or youth for the next five years. This decision reflects the court’s aim to limit their influence and protect vulnerable groups during this period.
The case stems from an incident in June of last year, when Taeil and two accomplices were accused of raping a female victim of Chinese nationality while she was intoxicated. During the trial, all three defendants admitted to the aggravated sexual assault, which led to their prosecution and sentencing.
Alongside the prison sentence, the Seoul Central District Court issued arrest warrants for Taeil and the other defendants. The court explained this step by expressing concern that the defendants might attempt to flee, given the severity of the punishment they are facing.
This ruling has attracted significant public attention, especially within the K-pop community, where Taeil was once a prominent figure. The case serves as a stern reminder of the legal consequences of sexual violence and the justice system’s efforts to address such serious crimes promptly.
