The prosecution has sought a seven-year prison sentence for singer Taeyil (real name Moon Taeyil), a member of the group NCT, who is on trial for allegedly raping a drunken woman with acquaintances, stating that "the nature of the crime is poor."
On the 18th, the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 26 (Director General Lee Hyun-kyung) held the first hearing for Taeyil and two accomplices, who are charged with special quasi-rape under the Sexual Violence Punishment Act, and concluded the arguments.
Previously, Taeyil was accused of sexually assaulting a drunken woman with two acquaintances in June of last year. The Seoul Banpo police received a report from the victim and investigated Taeyil, who was summoned for questioning in August of that year. The police applied for arrest warrants against Taeyil and the two accomplices, but the request was dismissed on the grounds that the need for detention diminished as they admitted to the crime. Ultimately, the Seoul Banpo police transferred Taeyil to the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office without detention on September 12 of last year.
Consequently, suspicions arose that the police applied the charge of special quasi-rape, suggesting that they possessed weapons during the crime; however, it was reported that this was not the case. The crime of special quasi-rape is a serious crime established when the offender possesses a weapon or when two or more individuals engage in sexual intercourse with a person in a state of incapacitation, such as mental disorder. However, they did not possess a weapon.
As a result, Taeyil was expelled from his group NCT, and the exclusive contract with his agency, SM Entertainment, was terminated. SM Entertainment stated, "We recently confirmed that Taeyil was accused in a criminal case related to sexual offenses. As we were verifying the facts surrounding this matter, we recognized its seriousness and determined that he could no longer continue team activities, leading to the decision to withdraw Taeyil from the group after discussions."
As the trial progressed in earnest, the prosecution stated, "This case involves the defendants collectively sexually assaulting a foreign female traveler, making it extremely serious and the nature of the crime profoundly poor," requesting the court impose a seven-year prison sentence for each of the three individuals.
In particular, the prosecution noted, "The defendants discussed sending the victim intentionally by taxi to a different location from the crime scene during the process of sending her away. They intended to prevent the victim, being a foreigner, from remembering the crime scene or from the police being able to track them," adding, "Considering the defendants' claims, I have serious doubts about whether they genuinely repent and reflect on the incident."
The prosecution continued, "Although an agreement document was submitted, please take the seriousness into sufficient consideration in deciding the sentence," explaining the reason for requesting a seven-year prison sentence.
Appearing on Taeyil's behalf, his attorney mentioned the agreement with the victim, stating, "The victim accepted the apology and expressed her intention not to pursue punishment with the investigative agency," and added, "Taeyil, regretting his mistakes, is completing a sexual crime prevention education program, receiving psychological counseling, and is determined never to commit such wrongs again," urging leniency.
Taeyil also expressed, "I am deeply sorry to everyone who has felt disappointed in me," and stated, "If you grant me leniency, I will consider it the last opportunity given to me in my life, and I will do my best to contribute to society in any way possible and live my life to the fullest."
Meanwhile, the verdict for Taeyil and the two accomplices is scheduled to be delivered on July 10.
[Photo] OSEN DB
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