Ryu Seong-ryong, was a scholar-official of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He held many responsibilities including the Chief State Councillor position in 1592. He was a member of the "Eastern faction", and a follower of Yi Hwang.
Ryu was born in Hahoe Maeul, Andong, Gyeongsang province, to a yangban family of the Munhwa Ryu clan. Ryu is said to have been so precocious that he absorbed the teachings of Confucius and Mencius at the age of 8. In 1564the 19th year of Myeongjong, he passed the Samasi examination, and in 1566 he passed the Mun-gwa at a special examination, and then took the post of Gwonji bujeongja. He held various other positions and in 1569 he joined the imperial birthday mission to Ming as a Seojanggwan, returning to Korea the following year.
Career
Thereafter he held posts including Inspector of Classics and devoted himself to editing, being granted a royal sabbatical. Subsequently, he held posts including Gyori and Eunggyo. He was appointed Jikjehak in 1575 and Bujehak in 1576. Continually he held posts including Doseongji, Daesaheon and Daejehak. In 1590, he was appointed Uuijeong and Pungwon Buwongun. In 1591, he was promoted to Jwauijeong and Ijo Panseo. However, the Easterners faction split into the Southerners and the Northerners. Ryu Seong-ryong was a Southerner. He was in the rank of provincial Dochechalsa when the Imjin War broke out in 1592 also he was appointed Yeonguijeong, the Chief State Councillor. Ryu Seongryong accompanied the royal family from Hanseong to Uiju. In this capacity, he oversaw all military units and called leaders like Yi Sun-sin and Gwon Yulto battle. He also fought on the Korean-Chinese allied forces side in the Siege of Pyongyang. He suggested of establishment the Hunnyeon Dogam. In 1598, he was ousted by the Northerners faction. King Seonjo rehabilitated him. However, he refused to take office as a minister in 1600. In 1602, the Joseon government bestowed honors upon him, as the second rank of Hoseong Gongsin, and appointed Pungwon Buwongun again.
After which he spent his time on political writing until his death in 1607.
Legacy
Ryu's major writings are preserved in the Seoaejip, Jingbirok, and minor writings as Hwanghwajip, Jeongchungrok. Ryu Seong-ryong was enshrined in the Byeongsan Seowon and Hogye Seowon in Andong, North Gyeongsang.
