Most areas of Nam-gu are mountainous. Assuming that cultivation started focusing on near-by Suyeong River and Beomcheon-stream, only presumption that few people might inhabit here in the Stone Age or the Bronze Age is possible, but no record remains to verify it.

The first Nam-gu-related record is found in ‘Wiseo’, ‘Samgukji (“Record of Three Kingdoms”)’ Book, saying that Three Han countries were separated into 70 small countries, and 12 out of them belonged to Byeonhan country.

Here, the word ‘Geochilsanguk Country (meaning “Rough Mountain Country”)’ is found: the major mountain in Nam-gu is currently called Mt. Hwangryeong, and the meaning of the Chinese character Hwangryeong is “Rough Mountain”. According to Geodoyeoljeon, ‘Samguksagi (“Record of Three Kingdoms”) Book, it was written that Geodo-island became a shield to defeat Ushisanguk-country and Geochilsanguk-country in the reign of King Talhae, Shilla Kingdom”. About Sinseondae located in Yongdang-dong, it was said "Chiwon Choi (a scholar in the end of Shilla Kingdom) became a wizard and strolled here"; it is believed that there are wizards' footprints and footmarks of white horses which the wizards rode in the big rock called Mujedeung, on the mountain peak. It is believed that the name 'Shinseongdae' derives from this story. In the Koryo Kingdom, it was said that “Great Commander Yeong Choi defeated Japanese invaders who infiltrated Gamman-dong; currently, a shrine called Muminsa was built in Gamman 1-dong in order to honor his bravery. A sacrificial rite was still taken to praise the commander’s achievement.” In Choseon period, regarding Igidae in Yongho-dong, it is said “when Japanese army conquered Suyeong Fortress and gave a banquet at the beautiful place during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, one righteous kiseang volunteered for participating in the banquet and offered wine to a Japanese commander. Then, she held the commander, who was fully drunken, in her arms and jumped down to the water to kill him and herself. Thus, the name Igidae (Euigidae - Place with Righteous Kisaeng (kisaeng means “singing and dancing girl”) originated from this story.” Nam-gu is a historic district with many historical stories and legends in each period from Three Hans Period.

Persons recorded in the history were not so many, and the gu boundary has been changed as times passes. If we introduce persons from near-by Nam-gu, we can count Seo Jeong (pen name: Gwajeong) at King Euijong, the 18th King of Koryo Kingdom.

He is the writer of famous ‘Jeonggwajeonggok’, which is about a faithful retainer’s loyalty toward the king. This poem is the only song of which writer is known among Koryo songs. It is very meaningful literary work in Korean literature, and often published in High school textbooks. In Mangmi-dong near Nam-gu, there is a road named ‘Gwajeongro’, and a poem monument was established in the place where he used to live.

Second, we can count General Yongbok Ann, who was only a fisherman from Suyeong, near Nam-gu, but he confirmed Japan’s feudal government that Ulreungdo-island and Dokdo-island were included in Choseon and received the verification document at the reign of King Sukjong, Choseon. He was treated as a prisoner at that time, but currently, a loyal tower stands in Suyeong Park for him, and a loyal monument stands in Ulreung Park in Ulreungdo-island.

Third, we can count Seokjin Kang, the supreme leader of Dongmyeong Group, who built the kingdom of plywood in Yongdang-dong and bore a part of national economic reconstruction. He started as an apprentice in a furniture factory, and finally stood foremost in the field of plywood. He was born in Cheongdo, Gyeongsang-bukdo Province. He established Dongmyeong School and Dongmyeong Buddhist Temple in his later years, and led to establish various scholarships. He also rendered distinguished service to local economy such as encouraging to establish Busan Bank, which is a local bank. Next, we can count Taeseong Jeong, who was born in Bonghwa, Gyeongsang-bukdo Province, and established Seongchang Plywood in Uam-dong. He contributed to the economic growth of Korea as well as Busan, as a leader of plywood field. He made great achievements as a business executive, and established Seongji Middle School, Seongji High School and Busan University of Foreign Studies in order after obtaining a permission to build Seongji School, contributing to educating younger students.

Nam-gu is a cultural district. Based on sufficient and beautiful natural resources, tourism has been well developed. Oryukdo-islands, Igidae and Sinseondae, mystic with many stories from old times, are loved by many people. Also, not only Busan Municipal Museum keeping Busan culture and excavating new one, but also Busan Cultural Center, the delivery room for Busan performance culture, all facilities playing important roles are located in Nam-gu.

Government-designated Cultural Property(National Treasure)
Gold Buddhist Statue Korea National Asset No. 200, Busan Municipal Museum (948-1, Daeyeon 4-dong)
Youngtae 2nd year Myong Nabsukjeho Korea National Asset No. 233,
Busan Municipal Museum (948-1, Daeyeon 4-dong)

City-designated Cultural Property(Monument)
Yakjojechalbi (Monument) No. 17, Busan Municipal Museum(948-1, Daeyeon 4-dong)
Cheokhwabi (Monument to remember to fight against foreign enemies) No. 18, Busan Municipal Museum (948-1, Daeyeon 4-dong)
Dongrae Nammunbi No. 21, Busan Municipal Museum (948-1, Daeyeon 4-dong)
Oryukdo No. 22, (936 ~941, Yongho-dong)
Sinseondae No. 29, (Mt. 170, Yongdang-dong)