Yeongju-dong was once called Yim-so, which was derived from Gamri-seo, meaning office (possibly a custom office). The name Yimso also meant a public institute for working officials, just like those working at Gamriseo. In order to help reduce the officials' workload at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trading that had steadily increased in the wake of the Busan port inauguration, Gamriseo came to be established in 1890 (the 27th year of King Gojong). With the closing of the Korean office in charge of handling overall works related to Choryang Waegwan in its precinct, a new office building for Gamriseo was then established at the location of the present Bongrae Primary School in Yeonju-dong.

It was a spectcular scene at the time: two ridge peaks protruding into far off sea from the shore, as seen from the commanding top of Yeongseon Pass. This was the view from Shinseong-dang, the office of Hundoes (diplomats and interpreters) and Binil-hyeon, the office of Byeolchas (customs officials). The public officials working at these institutes used to liken the scenic places to the legendary Yeongju Mountain, which was one of the three sacred mountains where Taoist hermits were supposed to reside. This was how Yeongju-dong got its name.