Why the case of sexual assault of the former member of the NCT Taeil is in the headlines?

Last update:March 4, 2025, 18:32 ist

The former NTT member and his two accomplices were accused of sexually assaulting a woman intoxicated in June 2024.

Taeil used to be a member of NCT and its subunits. (Photo credit: x)

South Korean singer Moon Tae Il, also known as Taeilwho was a member of NCT, was accused of sexual aggression along with two others in 2024. In the last development of the case, he has been accused without detention for positions of quasi special violation. According to the media of South Korea, the main prosecutor of the Office of the Central District of the Central District of Seoul, the main prosecutor of Division 1 of Division 1 of Division 1, Kim Ji Hye, formally accused Taeil and two of his acquaintances under the law of punishment of sexual violence on February 28.

The accusations, which left the K-pop industry shaking, date back to June 2024, when the former NTT member and his accomplices were accused of sexually assaulting an poisoned woman. As reported above, the woman was of foreign and not less. Despite the seriousness of the positions, Taeil did not respond to the prosecution of the Prosecutor’s Office and cited health concerns as reason. In addition, his legal team presented a medical certificate and a declaration of lawyer. Other suspects involved in the case cooperated with the investigation.

After receiving the victim’s report, the Seoul Bangbae police station requested an arrest warrant for Taeil and the other two suspects in June 2024. However, the court denied the request, citing that the accused had already admitted the assault and that arrest them would be unnecessary.

In August 2024, the authorities summoned Taeil to question as part of their investigation. A month later, on September 12, 2024, the police formally delivered the case of the K-Pop idol to the prosecutor for positions of quasi special violation. Prosecutors claim that the victim was unable to resistance. Therefore, the severe burden of the quasi special violation on the accused was raised. This position is applied in cases where multiple perpetrators or a weapon are used to incapacitate the victim. As the news of the case extended, speculations abounded that a weapon was involved in the assault. However, officials did not find substantial evidence to support such claims after an exhaustive investigation.

Meanwhile, NCT officially cut his tasks with Taeil in October 2024. Having debuted under the SM Entertainment’s Boyband agency in 2016, the singer was part of NCT U and NCT 127 and was withdrawn from the groups, and the agency even issued a statement. They said: “We have recently learned that Taeil has been accused in a criminal case related to a sexual crime. While we evaluate the facts related to the matter, we recognize the seriousness of the situation and determine that Taeil can no longer continue its activities with the team (NCT). After arguing with Taeil, we have decided his departure from the group. “