Race to FreedomIn the novel Year of Impossible Farewells by Sook Nyul Choi, the main character Sookan recounts his experience when Korea was divided into North Korea and South Korea. Sookan also recounts her experience fleeing to South Korea during the expansion of communism. Sookan and his family struggle to survive and stay motivated in the face of degrading and dangerous events ("Sook Nyul Choi". Leading authors and illustrators for children and young adults). The setting of the novel takes place between 1945 and 1946, at the time of the Japanese occupation and the introduction of communism. In August 1945, Japan lost to the Allies (Clark 18). When they lost to the Allies, they also lost their empire on the Asian continent (Clark 18). The United States and the Soviet Red Army are in control of splitting Korea and forming a new government for them. The border that separates North and South Korea is the 38th parallel (Clark 19). Many people living in North Korea attempted to flee to South Korea, over which the United States had control and did not participate in communism. The novel begins in P'yŏngyang, Korea, during the Japanese occupation, near the end of the world. Second War. The main character, Sookan, is ten years old and lives under cruel treatment during the Japanese occupation ("Sook Nyul Choi." Major authors and illustrators for children and young adults). After the Japanese occupation, she also dealt with Russia's takeover of North Korea. Sookan expresses the trials and tribulations she faces in her life, with herself and her family ("Sook Nyul Choi". Leading authors and illustrators for children and young adults). Captain Narita is the antagonist of the novel. It is cruel and callous... middle of paper ...... communism resulting from Russia's takeover; and his flight to South Korea. During this period, it was a matter of deciding where you wanted to be, North Korea or South Korea (Clark 19). Like Sookan and his family, many wanted to flee to South Korea. It became a race for freedom. Works Cited Choi, Sook Nyul. Year of impossible goodbyes. Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1991. Print.Clark, Donald N. "1. The History of the Korean People." Culture and customs of Korea. SantaBarbara, CA: Greenwood, 2000. ABC-CLIO eBook Collection. Internet. April 19, 2014. “Sook Nyul Choi. » Authors and artists for young adults. Flight. 38. Detroit: Gale, 2001. Biography in Context. Internet. April 23, 2014. “Sook Nyul Choi. » Major authors and illustrators for children and young adults. Detroit: Gale, 2002. Biography in Context. Internet. April 23, 2014. “Religion.” Religion. Np, and Web. April 21. 2014.