On December 26th, the First Division of the Supreme Court rejected the appeals filed by Taeil and two accomplices, confirming the lower courts’ rulings. As a result, Taeil will serve three years and six months in prison for violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, specifically aggravated quasi-rape.

According to court findings, in June last year Taeil met a foreign national identified as A at a club in Itaewon along with two acquaintances, surnamed Lee and Hong. The three men took advantage of the victim while she was heavily intoxicated and unable to resist, sexually assaulting her in succession. DNA evidence from all three defendants was later found on the victim’s body.

In July, the first trial court sentenced Taeil and his accomplices to three years and six months in prison and ordered their immediate detention. The appellate court upheld the same decision, additionally mandating 40 hours of sexual violence treatment education and a five-year restriction on employment at institutions related to children, adolescents, and people with disabilities.

Taeil appealed the second ruling, but the Supreme Court ultimately rejected his claim, leaving the sentence unchanged. During his final statement in court, Taeil said, “I admit all of my crimes and deeply regret them. Although I cannot heal the victim’s wounds, I sincerely apologize.”

With the Supreme Court’s decision, Taeil’s sentence is now final and legally binding.

Sources: nate