No definitive record survives of exactly when the Gurim Daedonggye, a village self-governance association, was first established. However, a later document titled "A Full Account of the Gurim Village Charter," written by Bak Sa-ryang in 1706 (the 32nd year of King Sukjong's reign), allows us to estimate that it was first organized sometime between 1565 (the 20th year of King Myeongjong's reign) and 1580 (the 13th year of King Seonjo's reign). The individuals credited with first organizing the association in 1565 include Bak Gyu-jeong of the Hamyang Bak clan and Im Ho of the Seonsan Im clan. They are said to have created this association with the intention of putting into practice the spirit of hyangyak — the Joseon-era code of local self-governance — and, through it, building the village into an ideal community.
The association's history since then has not run smoothly. It fell into decline during the Japanese invasions of the 1590s, was reconstituted once between 1609 and 1613 (the first through fifth years of King Gwanghaegun's reign), and underwent a further reconstitution between 1641 and 1646 (the 19th through 24th years of King Injo's reign), continuing on to this day. The association's documents record, in detail, not only the roster of members and the rules known as donghyeon governing member conduct, along with the resolutions members agreed upon in what was called wanui, but also concrete community projects such as bridge repairs and road maintenance. Because of this, the document is regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the organization and operation of late-Joseon village society, and it was designated South Jeolla Provincial Cultural Heritage Material No. 198 on July 15, 1997.