Former NCT member Taeil has been indicted without detention on charges of sexual assault, alongside two other accomplices.
The Korea Times reported on March 4 that The Women’s and Children’s Investigation Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office indicted Taeil – real name Moon Tae-il – alongside two accomplices on February 28 for sexual assault against an inebriated woman in June last year.
A Seoul police station had initially applied for arrest warrants for the three suspects. However, the court later rejected this request, saying there was a reduced need for detention as they had admitted to the crime. As a result, police summoned Moon and the two unnamed accomplices for questioning in August before the case was forwarded to prosecution in September.
According to The Korea Times, all three suspects claim the crime was not premeditated. However, Moon was the only suspect who did not present himself for police questioning due to purported health issues. His legal team reportedly submitted corresponding medical documents and an attorney’s statement for his absence at the time.
When his involvement in the alleged crime was first made public in August, his former label SM Entertainment announced the departure of Moon from NCT. At the time, the label said it was “assessing the facts of the matter”, but also determined he “can no longer continue his activities with NCT”.
His contract with the company would later be terminated several months later, with SM Entertainment writing that “our trust in him as an artist has been severely damaged”. The news of his termination from the company also came after police began their investigation into Moon.
For more help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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