The university was established shortly after Korean independence. The Daejongkyo founders, upon returning to Korea following Japanese surrender after years of exile in China, prioritized the establishment of an educational institution. As a result, in 1946, they founded the school, then named Hongmoon-daehakgwan (홍문대학관). Lee Hung Soo, a wealthy Korean independent activist, donated the initial funds from which the university found its beginnings. In August 1948, Hongik University and Hongik Foundation was approved officially by the Korean government.