Prosecutors seek 7-year term for former NCT member Taeil in hearing for sexual assault case

Prosecutors sought a seven-year prison term for former NCT member Moon Taeil and his co-defendants, surnamed Lee and Hong, during a court hearing on their sexual assault charges on Wednesday. 

According to a report by Yonhap News Agency, Taeil appeared before the Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday and appealed for leniency. 

"I'm sorry to all the people who felt disappointed,” he was quoted as saying.

In March, Taeil was charged without detention for allegedly sexually assaulting an intoxicated foreign woman with his friends Lee and Hong in June 2024. 

Their sentencing hearing is scheduled on July 10. 

According to a report by Soompi, the prosecution said that the defendants "suggested sending the victim away by taxi to a location different from where the crime occurred, intending to confuse her about the location or make it difficult for the police to track the case." 

"This shows a deliberate attempt to obstruct investigation, particularly exploiting the fact that the victim is a foreigner," they added. 

The prosecution has asked the court to consider the severity of the crime in determining the defendants' sentence. 

Meanwhile, Taeil's legal counsel said that Taeil reached a settlement with the victim. 

"The victim accepted the apology and expressed that she did not wish for his punishment. In penitence for his wrongdoings, he completed a sexual violence prevention program and has undergone psychological counseling, vowing never to repeat the same mistake again," his lawyer said. 

Taeil left NCT in August 2024 amid police investigation of the sexual assault allegations. In October 2024, SM Entertainment announced that they have terminated Taeil's exclusive contract. 

—Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA Integrated News