Ⅷ. The Sorrow of Losing One’s Country

Japan’s forced annexation of Joseon in 1910 marked the end of the 519-year rule of the dynasty of Joseon. The fact that the nation’s history became severed was more tragic than the collapse of Joseon Dynasty itself. After the Japanese enforced the military annexation of Joseon, they began to oppress the Korean people and exploit Korea’s economic resources. However, Japan’s cruel colonial rule was soon confronted with strong resistance by the Korean people (March 1st Movement). The base for independence movements against Japanese imperialism moved from Korea to Manchuria and activists continued on with their armed struggle to regain the homeland. Japan ultimately started a war against the rest of the world (World War II). Japanese exploitation and their barbaric treatment of the Korean people worsened. The rest of the world kept exerting pressure on Japan to end their atrocities. Consequently, Japan became the only nation in history to be nearly annihilated by two atomic bombs and Korea finally regained its independence.