He was born to a yangban family of the Munhwa Ryu lineage, but his date of birth is not known.
He was shortly thereafter appointed to the Hall of Worthies by Sejong.
Yu joined with other high officials in a conspiracy to restore Danjong to the throne.
This was discovered by the king shortly before it was to happen, and Yu committed suicide.
Yu's tomb lies today in Sayuksin Park in Noryangjin-dong, Dongjak District, Seoul.