Being born as a child of a soldier of Joseon Dynasty, Ryu passed the military civil service examination in 1876.

[2] In 1882, Ryu visited Japan as a Aide-de-camp to Park Yung-hyo with Bak Jungyang, Cho Byeong-jik, O Yun-jung, etc.

[3] In 1895, Ryu was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and posted as the first Director of Artillery of Ministry of Military,[1] with the support of Park Yung-hyo.

[1] In 1907, Ryu returned to Korea with some of the survivors of the Gapsin Coup in 1884, and was appointed as officer at West North Young-Rim-chang.

In December, Ryu was appointed as the Governor of North Pyongan Province by recommendation of Resident General Itō Hirobumi.