Taeyil's Side: "Settlement Reached with Victim, Requesting Leniency"
Prosecution: "Crime Against Foreign Tourist, Matter Is Serious"
Prosecutors have requested a seven-year prison sentence for singer Taeyil (real name Moon Taeyil), who left the idol group NCT after being accused of a sex crime.
On June 18, the 26th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (presiding judge Lee Hyunkyung) concluded arguments after holding the first trial for Taeyil, who is charged with aggravated quasi-rape under the Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, as well as his accomplices, identified as Mr. Lee and Mr. Hong.
The prosecution stated, "This case involves the group sexual assault of a foreign female tourist by the defendants. The matter is extremely serious, and the nature of the crime is particularly egregious." The prosecution requested that the court sentence each of the three defendants to seven years in prison.
The prosecution also said, "After committing the crime, the defendants discussed intentionally sending the victim away in a taxi to a location different from the crime scene," and added, "They intended to prevent the victim, who is a foreign national, from remembering the location of the crime or to hinder police tracking."
The prosecution further commented, "Given the content of the defendants' claims, there is significant doubt as to whether they are genuinely remorseful or repentant about the incident," and requested that the court fully consider the seriousness of the case when determining the sentence, despite a settlement agreement having been submitted.
In contrast, Taeyil's defense emphasized that a settlement had been reached with the victim, stating, "The victim has accepted the apology and expressed to the investigative authorities that she does not wish for punishment." The defense also appealed for leniency, saying, "Taeyil, feeling remorse for his actions, has completed a sex crime prevention education program and undergone psychological counseling, and is determined never to repeat such a mistake."
In his final statement, Taeyil said, "I am deeply sorry to everyone who felt disappointed in me," and added, "If given leniency, I will treat it as the last chance of my life and do my utmost to contribute to society in any way I can."
Meanwhile, Taeyil was indicted without detention in March on charges of sexually assaulting an intoxicated foreign woman together with his friends, Mr. Lee and Mr. Hong, in June last year. The charge of aggravated quasi-rape applies when two or more people, or someone possessing a weapon or dangerous object, engage in sexual intercourse or molestation with a person who is unconscious or unable to resist.
Taeyil debuted in 2016 as a member of NCT U, a unit of NCT, and was active as a member of both NCT and the sub-group NCT 127.
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