The Seoul High Court on Friday upheld a three-year, 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, upheld the original ruling under South Korea’s Sexual Crimes Punishment and Victim Protection Law. The court also maintained a ban on working in institutions for children, adolescents and people with disabilities for five years and ordered the completion of 40 hours of a sexual violence treatment program.
Taeil, 31, and two acquaintances were convicted in June last year for attacking a drunken Chinese tourist he met at a bar in Seoul’s Itaewon district. According to court documents, they took the victim by taxi to a private residence, where they raped her repeatedly while she was unable to resist. The prosecution had asked for a seven-year sentence, calling the crime “extremely serious” because the victim was defenseless and far from home.
During the appeal hearing, Taeil’s legal team asked for a reduction in his sentence on the basis that he had voluntarily surrendered to the authorities. The court rejected this claim, noting inconsistencies in his testimony about when he learned of the allegations. “The defendant stated that he surrendered, but also testified that he was unaware of the criminal charges until his home was searched,” the judges said. “Just because other cases have recognized voluntary surrender as a mitigating factor doesn’t mean the same is true here.”
The bench added this after examining everything condemnation factors, the original punishment was neither excessively light nor beyond the judge’s discretion. In the first trial, the court found the assault to be “extremely serious in nature” and recognized the lasting psychological trauma likely suffered 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 surfaced, 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 drawn case extended public attention and 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 her sentence immediately upon transfer to a penitentiary.
