Neo-Confucian scholar and head of the Sungkyunkwan (daesaseong), pen name Jinilje, posthumous title Munmok
| Life | 1452 ~ 1512 |
| Era | 조선 전기 |
| Clan | 전주 류씨 |
Ryu Sung-jo (1452-1512) was an early Joseon official and Neo-Confucian scholar of the Jeonju seat, with courtesy name Jonghyo and pen name Jinilje. His great-grandfather was Ryu Bin, his grandfather Ryu Gyeong-son and his father Ryu Ji-seong. He was a sixth-degree cousin of Ryu Heon, and the two passed the civil examination in the same year, 1489.
After passing under Seongjong he rose to second-class councillor, and in 1504 was exiled to Wonju for remonstrating against Yeonsangun's misrule; after the 1506 restoration he returned, served as lecturer at the royal classics mat and as head of the Sungkyunkwan. He is remembered as a scholar who greatly promoted the Neo-Confucian tradition and is said to have taught students at the academy for many years.
Korean Wikipedia credits him with the Chilseo eonhae (vernacular glosses on seven classics) and lists Jo Gwang-jo among his students, but these include later evaluation, so check scholarly works for his exact writings and teaching ties. His posthumous title is Munmok, and he is presented as a native of Wondang in Sangwan-myeon, Wanju.
The Wanju culture encyclopedia records that Ryu Sung-jo was exiled to Wonju in 1504 for remonstrating with Yeonsangun, returned after the 1506 restoration, and served as lecturer at the royal mat and head of the Sungkyunkwan.
In the same years his sixth-degree cousin Ryu Heon was exiled to Jeju and is said to have died on the way back, a contrast in the fortunes of the two men.
The exact tomb location was not confirmed here. He is said to have been enshrined at Yonggo Seowon in Hoeryong-dong, Iseo-myeon, Wanju, alongside Ryu Ui-son and Ryu Heon.
A collected-works volume, Jinilje seonsaeng munjip, is said to survive. He belongs to the Jangnyeong-gong line descended from Ryu Seup.