between 1894 and 1895, yu worked for the government of prime minister kim hongjip. he was vice minister of state for home office. in october 1895, korea's king gojong claimed that yu was involved in the assassination of queen min. kim was killed and his cabinet was disbanded. yu went to the russian embassy and escaped the country for exile in japan. he returned to korea in 1907 after he was pardoned by emperor sunjeong.