 Ryu Seong-ryong was a Southerner (claiming exile, instead of death, for Jeong Cheol, the leader of the Westerners rival faction).He was in the rank of provincial "Dochechalsa" (도체찰사, 都體察使) 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.