Ex-NCT Taeil pleads for leniency after ‘reaching agreement’ with victim, prosecutors don’t buy his claims

Trigger Warning: This text discusses s*xual assault and contains aesthetic stutter material that would also very well be distressing to some readers. Discretion is told!

Used NCT member Moon Taeil regarded in court on June 18, 2025, for the critical trial in his ongoing criminal case pertaining to aggravated rape. He stood trial alongside two male acquaintances. The case has been below investigation for in relation to a 12 months. It stems from a violent incident involving the s*xual assault of an intoxicated Chinese lady in June 2024.

Taeil’s defense: Agreement with sufferer, self-resign

In some unspecified time in the future of the trial at the Seoul Central District Courtroom, Taeil’s acceptable team submitted a matter for leniency. They cited Taeil’s cooperation with legislation enforcement and a non-public settlement that had allegedly been reached with the sufferer.

“Taeil submitted an announcement of self-resign to the police,” his lawyer said, appealing for a decreased sentence. “He also went by scheme of the merciless technique of reaching an agreement with the sufferer, who is Chinese, and even got a letter from the sufferer stating she did now not need extra punishment levied.” The defense framed these actions as indicators of valid remorse and accountability on Taeil’s piece.

Prosecution pushes abet

On the replace hand, the prosecution pushed apart Taeil’s tale, calling into question the timing and authenticity of the self-resign and settlement. They suggested that Taeil handiest came forward after studying that he and the more than a couple of suspects contain been below investigation. They argued that this did now not amount to a true act of self-initiated confession.

Prosecutors reiterated the severity of the case and argued that the nature of the crime demanded an organization sentence, no subject a non-public settlement. Additionally they identified that the assault used to be premeditated, citing prior verbal substitute between the defendants.

These messages allegedly mentioned the sufferer’s foreign nationality. Additionally they outlined efforts to alter GPS space facts on a taxi app to mislead investigators about the exact space of the crime scene. The prosecution requested that the court impose a seven-12 months jail sentence on Taeil and his accomplices.

Case timeline and allegations

In accordance to findings presented in court, Taeil and his two chums met the sufferer at a bar in Itaewon within the early hours of June 13, 2024. The neighborhood consumed alcohol collectively, though the sufferer used to be reportedly a stranger to all three males sooner than that night.

At approximately 2:30 a.m., the sufferer, heavily intoxicated, used to be coerced true into a taxi. She used to be taken to a space in Bangbae-dong, Seoul. Between 4:00 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., the three defendants are accused of s*xually assaulting the unconscious lady. CCTV photos and digital facts reportedly helped reconstruct the timeline.

Prosecutors argued that it took police two months to piece collectively fundamental proof. It involves surveillance and text exchanges between the accused to have a right case. The court has yet to express its last verdict, but a call is anticipated within the approaching weeks.

Disclaimer: For these that or somebody you realize is a survivor of s*xual assault, wait on is equipped. Please attain out to local assault toughen products and services, hotlines, or counseling products and services for confidential assistance. That you just too can very well be no longer alone.