Hoguksa Temple was built during the Goryeo Period and was originally named 'Naeseongsa'.

This temple appears to have been built during the reconstruction of Jinjuseong Fortress to keep off the Japanese invaders and raise monk soldiers within.

It was a base of monk army during the Imjinwaeran War. It is said that King Sukjong ordered reconstruction of the castle after the war. He named it 'Hoguksa'(means defense of the fatherland) in appreciation of the monk soldiers who sacrificed their lives to defend the castle during the 2nd Jinjuseong Battle.