Proto-Three Kingdoms period
- During the Proto-Three Kingdoms period of Korea (Samhan period), Gunwi-gun was home to tribal states such as Yeodamguk and Sodeungbungguk of the Jinhan Kingdom.
Three Kingdoms period
- In the early Silla Dynasty, Gunwi-gun was known as “Nodongmyeonhyeok” (also known as “Yeodumyeok”).
- In the 16th year of King Gyeongdeok's reign (Unified Silla Dynasty period, 757 CE), the Korean peninsula was divided into nine “Ju” (state) units. Thereafter, when the “Gun” and “Hyeon” administrative districts were reorganized, Gunwi-hyeon, Hyoryeong-hyeon, and Burim-hyeon became Yeong-hyeon of Seungseon-gun (currently Seonsan).
- Uiheung-gun name unknown
Goryeo Dynasty period
- In the 9th year of King Jungjong (1018 CE), Gunwi-hyeon, Hyoryeong-hyeon, and Burim-hyeon (renamed as Bugye-hyeon) fell under the jurisdiction of Sangju-mok, whereas Uiheung-gun was attached to Andong-bu.
- In the 21st year of King Injong’s reign (1143 CE), Gunwi-hyeon, Hyoryeong-hyeon, and Bugye-hyeon were transferred from Sangju-mok to Ilseon-gun.
- In the 2nd year of King Gongyang (1390 CE), Hyoryeong-hyeon was transferred to Gunwi-hyeon, and Bugye-hyeon was integrated into Uiheung-gun. To govern each district, the royal court appointed a “Gammu” official.
Joseon Dynasty period
- In the 13th year of King Taejong’s reign (1413 CE), Uiheung-gun was demoted to Uiheung-hyeon.
- In the 32nd year of King Gojong (1896 CE), Gunwi-hyeon and Uiheung-hyeon were promoted to Gunwi-gun and Uiheung-gun again.
- On August 4, in the 33rd year of King Gojong's reign (1896 CE), Gunwi and Uiheung were each declared Gunwi-gun and Uiheung-gun under the jurisdiction of Gyeongsangbuk-do in accordance with the new 13-Do (province) system established under Royal Decree No. 35.
Japanese occupation period
- On March 1, 1914, when Uiheung-gun transferred its jurisdiction over eight Myeon districts to Gunwi-gun following the merger of Bu, Gun, Myeon units under Ministerial Decree No. 111, parts of Soya-myeon and Uiseong-gun (currently Ingok, Yangji, Nakjeon, Gaam, Seoksan, Hakam) were incorporated into Goro-myeon of Gunwi-gun.
- On January 1, 1915, Somun-myeon (currently Yongdae) of Uiseong-gun was incorporated into Gunwi-myeon of Gunwi-gun by Ministerial Decree No. 173.
Post-liberation period
- According to a redistricting order on July 1, 1973, Gwanghyeon 1, 2, and 3-dong in Geumseong-myeon, Uiseong-gun, were incorporated into Gunwi-myeon, whereas Dosan 1 and 2-dong in Sandong-myeon, Seonsan-gun, were incorporated into Sobo-myeon, bringing Gunwi-gun’s total jurisdiction to 177 Dong units across eight Myeon districts
- On May 1, 1979, Gunwi-myeon was promoted to Gunwi-eup (one Eup, seven Myeon districts).
- According to a redistricting order on February 15, 1983, Gogok-dong and Maegok-dong in Bugye-myeon were incorporated into Hyoryeong-myeon, whereas Wonsan-dong and Geumyang-dong in Sanseong-myeon were incorporated into Uiheung-myeon.
- According to a redistricting order on January 1, 1988, Hwajeon-dong of Sanseong-myeon, was divided into Hwajeon 1 and 2-dong. Then, on May 1 of the same year, it was reorganized as Hwajeon 1 and 2-ri.
- According to a redistricting order on January 1, 1989, Daeheung 1 and 2-ri of Sobo-myeon were incorporated into Gunwi-eup.
- According to a redistricting order on January 1, 1991, Daeyul-ri of Bugye-myeon was divided into Daeyul 1 and 2-ri, meaning Gunwi-gun featured 179 Ri districts across one Eup and Seven Myeon districts in total.
- According to a redistricting order on March 13, 1996, Seobu 1-ri of Gunwi-eup was divided into Seobu 1 and 3-ri, whereas Gogok 1-ri of Hyoryeong-myeon was divided into Gogok 1 and 3-ri. Namsan-ri of Bugye-myeon was also divided into Namsan 1 and 2-ri, meaning Gunwi-gun now featured 182 Ri districts across one Eup and seven Myeon districts.
- According to a redistricting order on March 1, 2010, Goesan 1 and 2-ri of Goro-myeon were merged into Goesan-ri, whereas Hakseong 2 and 3-ri were merged into Hakseong 2-ri. Ingok 1 and 2-ri were merged into Ingok-ri, meaning Gunwi-gun featured 179 Ri districts across one Eup and seven Myeon districts.
- According to a redistricting order on February 28, 2012, Janggun 4-ri of Hyoryeong-myeon, was newly established, meaning Gunwi-gun featured 180 Ri districts across one Eup and seven Myeon districts.