Busan National Gugak Center was opened in 2008 by the aspirations and efforts of Korean classical musicians and local public figures in Busan, where the National Classical Music Institute was established during the evacuation of 1951 in the Korean War. 

The center combines traditional performing arts and the characteristics of Yeongnam region with the preservation and creative succession of traditional performing arts in Busan, a major city representing modern history of Korea. The center endeavors to promote Gugak (aka Korean classical music) education and research. In order to contribute to the construction of a southeastern region where high-quality culture endures, it also carries out performances and international exchange projects for tourism revitalization with the vision of making Asia and Pacific Ethnic Performing Arts Center, an international marine tourism city.