It is dedicated to "preserving and promoting traditional Korean music.

"[2] Through academic courses, private study, ensembles, research, and performances, it preserves Korea's ancient musical traditions, including the ancient court ritual music called aak as well as the ritual music performed for the Jongmyo (royal ancestral shrine) and the Munmyo (Confucian shrine).

While Korean court music dates back to the Eumseongseo [ko] music institute of the Silla kingdom in the 7th century, the present National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts is the direct successor to the Jangakwon music institution of the Joseon Dynasty.

Jangakwon went through various name changes until 1945: The Music Department of the Former Royal Household merged with other Korean music organizations in 1951 to form the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts (Gugnip Gugakwon 국립국악원 國立國樂院).

[3] In 2010 the English name was officially shortened to the National Gugak Center while the Korean name remained unchanged.