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This is a Korean name; the family name is Ryu.

Yu Seong-ryong
Hangul	류성룡
Hanja	柳成龍
Revised Romanization	Ryu Seongryong
McCune–Reischauer	Ryu Sŏngnyong
Pen name
Hangul	서애
Hanja	西厓
Revised Romanization	Seoae
McCune–Reischauer	Sŏae
Courtesy name
Hangul	이현
Hanja	而見
Revised Romanization	Ihyeon
McCune–Reischauer	Ihyŏn
Posthumous name
Hangul	문충
Hanja	文忠
Revised Romanization	Munchung
McCune–Reischauer	Munch'ung

Yu Seong-ryong (1542-1607), also often spelled Ryu Seong-ryong, was a scholar-official and Prime minister of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He was a member of the Eastern faction, and a follower of Yi Hwang.

Yu was born in Uiseong, in Gyeongsang province, to a yangban family of the Pungsan Ryu clan.

[edit] Life

Yu is said to have been so precocious that he absorbed the teachings of Confucius and Mencius at the age of 8. In 1564 the 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 (權知副正字). He held various other positions and in 1569 he joined the imperial birthday mission to Ming as a Seojanggwan (書狀官), returning to Korea the following year.

Thereafter he held posts including Inspector of Classics (經筵檢討官) and devoted himself to editing, being granted a royal sabbatical (賜暇讀書). Subsequently he held posts including Gyori (교리, fifth jeong rank) and Eunggyo (應敎, fourth jeong rank). He was appointed Jikjehak (直提學) in 1575 and Bujehak (副提學) in 1576. Continually he held posts including Doseongji (都承旨), Daesaheon (大司憲) and Daejehak(大提學).

In 1590, He was appointed Uuijeong (Third State Councillor) and Pungwon Buwongun (豊原府院君). In 1591, He was promoted to Jwauijeong (Second State Councillor)and Ijo Panseo (吏曹判書). However, Eastern faction was split as Southern faction and Northern faction. Because of Western faction's disciplinary punishment, which was led by Jeong Cheol. He was a member of the Southern faction.

He was in the rank of provincial Dochechalsa (四道都體察使) when the Imjin War broke out in 1592 also he was appointed Yeonguijeong, the Chief State Councillor. Yu Seongryong accompanied the royal family at Hanseong to Uiju. In this capacity, he oversaw all military units and called leaders like Yi Sun-sin and Gwon Yul to battle. He suggested of establishment the Hunnyeon Dogam (Training capital garrisons).

In 1598, he was impeached by Northern faction. After being impeached, he wrote on politics and died on 1607.

[edit] See also

• Yi Sun-sin
• Seonjo of Joseon
• Political factions in Joseon Dynasty
• Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598)
• Ryu Shi-won, Yu Seong-ryeong's 14th-generation descendant