The first trial of former NCT member Taeil (Moon Taeil), who is accused of sexually assaulting women along with acquaintances, will begin.
On the 18th, the 26th Criminal Division (A) of the Seoul Central District Court will hold the first trial date for the charges of violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes (special rape) against Taeil and two others. It was originally scheduled for May 12 but was postponed to the 18th.
Earlier, on the 28th of February, the Women's and Children's Crime Investigation Division 1 (Director General Kim Ji-hye) of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office charged Taeil with special rape under the Sexual Violence Punishment Act without detention.
Taeil was accused of sexually assaulting a drunken woman with two acquaintances last June. The Seoul Bangbae Police received a report from the victim and investigated Taeil, who was summoned for questioning in August of that year.
The police applied for arrest warrants for Taeil and two accomplices, but they were dismissed on the grounds that their acknowledgment of the crime diminished the necessity for detention. Ultimately, on the 12th of September last year, the Seoul Bangbae Police transferred Taeil to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office without detention.
Additionally, as the police applied the special rape charge, suspicions arose that the suspects might have been armed during the crime; however, it was reported that this was not the case. Special rape is a serious crime that occurs when a weapon is possessed or when two or more people engage in sexual intercourse with a person in a state of incapacity to resist, such as being mentally or physically incapacitated. However, it was clarified that they were not armed.
If the charge is recognized, one would face a prison sentence of more than seven years or life imprisonment under Article 4, Section 1 of the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes.
As a result, Taeil was expelled from his group NCT, and his agency, SM Entertainment, announced the termination of his exclusive contract.
At that time, SM stated, "We inform you that the exclusive contract between us and Taeil will be terminated as of October 15, 2024," adding, "Taeil is currently under investigation by the prosecution due to criminal charges, which not only constitutes grounds for the termination of the exclusive contract but also makes it impossible to continue trust as an artist, leading to the decision to terminate the exclusive contract in agreement with him."
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]