Charged with teaching a subordinate to be an innocent man, making/executing false official documents, and defamation while serving in the military (first trial conviction followed by appeal)

■ Case Summary The client was charged with teaching a subordinate to incriminate a certain person while serving in the military, and in the process, defaming the victim by creating and executing a false official document. In the first trial, the client was sentenced to one year in prison, but he admitted and repented of his wrongdoing and made efforts to recover damages through an amicable settlement with the victim. He came to us to explore the possibility of a sentence reduction on appeal. The key issue was whether the client could confess to the fact that he was an innocent teacher on appeal and claim mitigating circumstances under Articles 157 and 153 of the Criminal Code. On Kang's assistance 1. Legal approach and emphasizing the effect of confession The defense actively argued that "pre-trial confession" constitutes a necessary mitigating circumstance under Articles 157 and 153 of the Criminal Code. He cited Supreme Court precedents and similar cases to convincingly explain that his client's appellate confession qualifies for mitigation.