[1] The second period of the poet’s career, beginning with the long poem The Spirit of Seoul (Seourui jeongsin), includes Base Slave, Rise Up (Cheonno, ireoseoda), and concludes in the late 1970s with the publication of his third collection of poetry, Why Do You Not Come (Wae ani osinayo?).
The poems from this period, even though portraying the profound tragedy at the heart of reality, wrap these concerns in faith and love.
Several works during this period take the mother as their subject, and she is depicted as godlike figure who can deliver the world from the cruel realities of the present, and give rise to deeper meditation on the true meaning of love and faith.
The work is a poetic rendition of the author's experiences in his twenties as a ship crewmember, while also denouncing contemporary conditions that alienate and dehumanize individuals.
The work also displays the poet’s use of a diverse range of poetic techniques, including the personification of sharks, sea toads, and crocodiles.