Exhibit Recollects Joseon Prime Minister
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
This year marks the 400th anniversary of the death of Ryu Seong-ryong (1542-1607), a renowned prime minister of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).
Ryu is known as a great scholar who helped lead the country through a critical period involving a war with Japan in 1592.
The National Museum of Korea is holding an exhibition titled ``Ryu Seong-ryong, A Great Prime Minister of the Joseon Dynasty,'' to commemorate him, until July 8.
The exhibition sheds light on his life as a distinguished scholar-official and military strategist. It consists of five sections _ his birth and adulthood, his government service, the war, his seclusion, his writings and his reputation.
A total of 120 pieces, including cultural properties, are on display.
Ryu followed the academic teachings from renowned Confucian scholar Yi Hwang. He served as a scholar-official in government service for over 30 years during the reign of King Seonjo (1567-1608).
When Joseon was at war with Japan, he took charge of leading the kingdom and practically held the fate of the distressed country in his hands.
Ryu recommended Admiral Yi Sun-sin (1545-1598) as a high-ranking official in Jeolla Province in 1591, a year before the war took place.
Yi was a lower-grade official who had not been promoted for 15 years because his brilliance made his superiors jealous. Yi is regarded as a national hero after he defended the country from Japanese invaders in the late 16th century.
When Ryu resigned from office after being impeached by his political enemies, he retired to his hometown Hahoe, Andong now in North Gyeongsang Province.
He authored ``Jingbirok,'' or War Memoirs (National Treasure No. 132), which was his recollection of the horrid realities of the war against Japan for nearly a decade, based on court documents along with his personal critical point of view.
This book records the war situation during the Japanese invasion (1592-1598) and the exact date of manuscripts.
In this book, Ryu specified detailed records on Korea's relationship with Japan before the Invasion, relief campaign from the Ming Dynasty, as well as naval tactics.
Later, upon the request of a grandson of the author, the original manuscript of ``Jingbirok'' was printed into 7 volumes, 16 chapters, in the 25th year of King Injo (1647) by Jo Su-ik who was the then governor of Gyeongsang Province.
Since then, the book has been highly praised, along with ``Nanjungilgi,'' or War journal of Lord Chungmugong, Admiral Yi Sun-sin, as prized materials to study the historic situation before and after the Japanese Invasion.
It was even printed in Yamatoya, Kyoto in Japan, in the 21st year of King Sukjong (1695), but its export to Japan was banned in 1712 by the government, to bar Japan's access to the precious records.
The exhibition also presents the armor and helmet (Treasure No. 460) Ryu wore during the war with Japan and a 197-centimeter long sword used by Admiral Yi.
The exhibition aims to provide visitors with a unique opportunity to examine Ryu as a hero and political leader.
For more information, call (02) 2077-9275.
