Martin Luther King Jr. once stated, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope” (Brainy Quotes). Even if a nation suffers from its own collapse, it must never lose its optimistic vision for the future. Korea was an annexed nation, yet the determination for liberation never waned. Korea became a colony of Japan in 1910 for its natural resources and also for its territory which enjoyed a geographically advantageous position. Thousands of Koreans who resisted the annexation were killed by the Japanese army. During these years under Japanese rule, Koreans suffered greatly as men were forced into extreme labor while women were forced into prostitution. Although most Koreans detested the Japanese occupation, they were powerless against the harsh Japanese reign. There was also a development of industrial activities, partly encouraged by the Japanese government, but overall the country's citizens lived in poverty. Only the Japanese government was gaining resources and wealth, while the Koreans were forced into forced labor. In 1945, Korea was freed from this sadistic rule, partly due to its continued efforts for freedom. Many Korean authors lived during this dark historical period, which influenced them in their writing. Park Kyong-ni, one of the most famous novelists in Korean history, was born on October 28, 1926 in Tongyong, South Korea. Park lost her husband during the Korean War, and her son predeceased her. His work highlighted the importance of human dignity (english-ohmynews.com). He received the Woltan Literature Work for his work The Land. Park Kyong-ni died on May 5, 2008 while completing another novel. Yun Dong-ju, a renowned po...... middle of paper ...... due to the loss of his country. Both the novel and the poems express the authors' views on the colonization of their country. Their perspective on this annexation also speaks in favor of the majority of Koreans living under this kingdom. These similar historical events have occurred in many other countries and serve as an example of what greed leads to. Desires for greater territorial expansion have led to conflict among millions of people. This annexation serves as a model for what ambition can lead to, and by eliminating this ideal, the world can perform considerably more beneficial actions..