Ryu Seongryong, A Great Prime Minister of the Joseon Dynasty

This year, 2007, is the 400th anniversary of the death of Seoae西厓 Ryu Seongryong柳成龍(1542～1607). As a great prime minister of the Joseon dynasty(1392～1910), he guided the country during a critical time of war with Japan. To celebrate the memory of this great man, the National Museum of Korea presents the exhibition entitled "Ryu Seongryong, A Great Prime Minister of the Joseon Dynasty".

Ryu Seongryong was an eminent scholar-official. He inherited the academic teachings of renowned Confucian scholar Yi Hwang李滉. He was in the government service for over 30 years during the reign of King Seonjo(r.1567-1608). In times of crisis he took charge of leading the government and practically helmed the fate of the distressed country. And when he resigned from his office after being impeached by his political enemies, he retired in his hometown Hahoe河回 and authored Jingbirok, which was his own recollection of the horrid realities of the war against Japan for nearly a decade.

The theme of this exhibition includes all important of phases Ryu Seongryong's life: his birth, his adulthood, his government service, the war, his seclusion, his writings, and his posterior reputation. It aims to provide the audience with a unique opportunity to examine Ryu Seongryong as a hero and a political leader whom the people of Korea today would dearly hope for.