Ex-NCT Member Taeil's Prison Sentence Finalized After His Appeal for Aggravated Gang Rape Was Rejected

The Seoul High Court on Friday upheld the three-year and six-month prison sentence for former NCT member Moon Tae-il after rejecting his appeal of a gang rape conviction.

The Criminal Division 11-3, presided over by Judges Park Young-joo, Park Jae-woo, and Jung Moon-kyung, affirmed the original sentence under South Korea's Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes and Protection of Victims. The court also maintained a five-year ban on working at institutions for children, adolescents, and persons with disabilities, and ordered completion of 40 hours of a sexual violence treatment program.

Taeil, 31, and two acquaintances were convicted in June of last year for assaulting an intoxicated Chinese tourist they met at a bar in Seoul's Itaewon district. According to court records, they took the victim by taxi to a private residence, where they repeatedly raped her while she was unable to resist. Prosecutors had sought a seven-year sentence, calling the crime "extremely grave" because the victim was defenseless and far from home.

During the appeal hearing, Taeil's legal team argued for a reduced term on the basis that he had voluntarily surrendered to authorities. The court dismissed this claim, noting inconsistencies in his testimony about when he learned of the charges. "The defendant claimed he surrendered himself, but he had also testified that he was unaware of the criminal charges until the search of his residence," the judges stated. "Just because other cases have recognized voluntary surrender as a mitigating factor does not mean the same applies here."

The bench added that after reviewing all sentencing factors, the original punishment was neither excessively light nor outside judicial discretion. In the first trial, the court deemed the assault "extremely grave in nature" and acknowledged the lasting psychological trauma likely experienced by the victim.

Moon Tae-il first joined NCT in 2016 as part of SM Entertainment's multi-unit project. His career ended abruptly in August 2024 when allegations emerged, prompting SM Entertainment to terminate his contract and announce his departure from the group. Co-defendants Mr. Lee and Mr. Hong received identical sentences and treatment requirements.

This final ruling concludes a case that has drawn widespread attention and public outrage in South Korea, highlighting the legal system's handling of sexual violence involving public figures. With no further appeals possible, Taeil will begin serving his sentence immediately upon transfer to a correctional facility.