The National Theater of Korea located on Namsan, which is a central of the metropolitan city of Seoul founded in April 1950. It was not until the National Theater established on Namsan in 1973 that it was transferred from place to place under many circumstances.

After the Korean Government was established in 1948, an executive order to establish a national theater was promulgated. The Bumingwan, the City Hall (now Seoul Metropolitan Council) was designated as a site for a national theater, and Yoo, Chi Jin was named the first president of the National Theater of Korea. The New Theatre Council was inaugurated with a national theater in January 1950, under which two resident drama companies, Shin-hyup and Geuk-hyup. They staged Wonsulrang (written by Yoo, Chi Jin) for the opening performance in April 1950. It drew more than fifty thousand visitors for 15 days.

The subsequent staging of a Thunderstorm(written by Cho Woo) was successful in a row. The play drew approximately 75,000 people, or about one sixth of the total population of Seoul and registered a new high in Korea's drama history. While it was working on its third performance, all activities of theater were totally paralyzed with the outbreak of the Korean War only after 57 days of opening.