"VAN" (Sports Desk - 01.04.2026) :: It is with extreme sadness that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has learnt of the death of Professor Ung Chang, on 29 March at the age of 87.
Professor Chang dedicated his entire life to sport and the Olympic Movement. His career spanned athletic performance, coaching, administration and international sports diplomacy. This dedication was recognised with numerous academic honours and distinctions, including the Olympic Order at the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai, India, in October 2023.
On hearing of his death, the IOC President expressed her condolences, stating:
“Ung Chang devoted his whole life to the development of sport in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and to fostering dialogue within the Olympic Movement. His efforts to promote cooperation on the Korean peninsula demonstrated the power of sport to build bridges and inspire hope. He served the Olympic Movement with commitment and dignity over many years. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.”
Professor Chang began his career as a basketball player and captained the national basketball team from 1956 to 1967. After his competitive career, he moved into coaching and education, serving as a basketball coach and lecturer.
He played a significant role in the Olympic Movement through his work with the National Olympic Committee of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), where he served as Assistant Secretary General, Secretary General and later Vice-President. His leadership extended to regional and international sport, including his role as Vice-President of the Olympic Council of Asia for many years.
A committed advocate for dialogue through sport, he contributed to historic discussions between the National Olympic Committees of the DPRK and the Republic of Korea (ROK). This was also apparent when he signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) between the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) and the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) during the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing in 2014. Until then, the two Federations had been fiercely competing, but came to a peaceful coexistence in the interest of the sport of taekwondo and the athletes.
While always an advocate for sport in the DPRK, he also constantly promoted the unifying power of sport. In this way, he became highly recognised by the whole Olympic Movement.
These efforts facilitated the joint marches of the DPRK and ROK NOC delegations at the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, reflecting the unifying power of sport and the Olympic values.
As an IOC Member from 1996, Professor Chang served on several commissions, including Sport for All, International Olympic Truce Foundation, International Relations, Culture and Olympic Education, Public Affairs and Social Development through Sport, Culture and Olympic Heritage, and Sport and Active Society. His contributions supported the promotion of sports participation, cultural exchanges and the role of sport in society.
Professor Chang leaves a lasting legacy through his contributions to sports development, international cooperation and promotion of the Olympic values.
As a mark of respect, the Olympic flag will be flown at half-mast for three days at Olympic House.
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