Former NCT Taeil’s Prison Sentence Length For Rape Sparks Outrage

Last month, former NCT‘s Moon Taeil made his first public appearance, appearing in court for his sex crime case.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office’s Women and Children’s Crime Investigation Division 1 indicted Moon and two accomplices on February 28, 2025, on charges of aggravated rape under the Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes. They were accused of sexually assaulting an intoxicated foreign woman in June 2024.

After the prosecution shared these accusations, Taeil and the two accomplices admitted guilt to the aggravated rape. Prosecution has demanded a seven-year prison sentence for each of the perpetrators.

The defense shared that Taeil and the victim had reached a settlement and requested leniency. On July 10, the sentencing took place, with Taeil being taken into custody after being sentenced to 3 years and six months in jail, half of the seven years initially requested.

Netizens were left shocked by his time sentenced, expressing outrage over his seemingly lenient sentencing in light of his crime.

3 years and 6 months for gang raping a woman and permanently scarring her life??? There is no justice for women. Absolutely none. He should be tortured for his entire life, which still wouldn't compare to what he did to her. Fucking ridiculous. https://t.co/JCWljjcfmb

— Faerie⁷ is EUSEXUA 🇵🇸 ⅓ of Déni (@hanbintheclouds) July 10, 2025

That's it???? That's FUCKING IT???
They give longer sentences than this for drugs!!!! https://t.co/Q09yvnR6aq

— Stopcallingmeihaveanxiety (@abayyaarkyaa) July 10, 2025

Deserved much much more, fuck that guy, I hope he rots there https://t.co/0VG5k1dC9R

— 🌑🕊️ club icarus 🪽 (@seulieyong) July 10, 2025

Taeil's sentencing of three and a half years is barely anything, and he will only do half of it, while the victim has to live with the trauma their whole life. The justice system is an absolute joke. 🤬🤬🤬

— Jas loves Channie 🐺💖 (fan account) (@skzismyuniverse) July 10, 2025

With the gravity of the crime Taeil admitted to committing, it seems many believe a longer sentence would have been more just.