TAEIL
TAEIL, former member of the group NCT, who was sentenced in the first trial for sexually assaulting an intoxicated foreign tourist with the involvement of acquaintances, is facing the same seven-year prison sentence in the appeal.
The 11th Criminal Division-3 of the Seoul High Court (Judges Park Young-joo, Park Jae-woo, and Jeong Moon-kyung) held the first appeal hearing for TAEIL and his accomplices on the afternoon of September 17. They are accused of violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (aggravated rape).
According to the prosecution, TAEIL and the others allegedly raped a Chinese tourist, referred to as “A,” around 4 a.m. on June 13 of last year, while she was heavily intoxicated and unable to stand.
In the first trial on July 1, they were each sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison and taken into custody. Both the prosecution and the defendants filed appeals, challenging the severity of the sentence.
During this hearing, the prosecution requested that the court impose the same seven-year prison sentence as in the first trial.
Wearing a prison uniform, TAEIL made the following final statement:
“I fully understand that the wounds suffered by the victim can never be completely healed through words or actions. Nevertheless, I take this opportunity to offer my sincerest apologies. I will live my life with a sense of atonement for the irreparable harm I caused through my irresponsible and foolish actions.”
TAEIL’s attorney stated: “(When moving to the shared residence) he only intended to drink more and did not plan the crime. By the time he turned himself in to the authorities, he had left the group and terminated his contract with the company. Before his detention, he worked in a restaurant to support himself and his father, and he tried to become a responsible member of society. He is now reflecting on his actions and repenting while in custody.”
The court has scheduled the next hearing for the sentencing on October 17 at 2:30 p.m. KST.
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: SNS NCT
