Chang Ung, the former captain of North Korea’s basketball team and a long-serving International Olympic Committee member, dedicated his life to using sport as a bridge between nations. A champion of unity between North and South Korean athletes, he spent more than two decades promoting diplomacy through athletics. He died on March 29 at the age of 87, the IOC said, leaving the Olympic community in mourning.

On April 1, Christian Klaue, who is the Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at the IOC, shared the news on X:

“IOC expresses deep sorrow at passing of IOC Honorary Member Ung Chang…,” quoting IOC President Kirsty Coventry.

While the exact cause of his passing has not been disclosed, the IOC announced that the Olympic flag will be flown at half-mast for three days at Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland, as a mark of respect. However, his impact on the Olympic Movement will never be forgotten.

Chang Ung began his athletic career as a basketball player, captaining North Korea’s national team from 1956 to 1967. After retiring, he coached with the Pyongyang Sports Club from 1968 to 1973.

He entered sports administration as a member of the DPR Korea Basketball Association from 1974 to 1980, later working with the DPR Korea Rowing Association, in table tennis, and football. Chang also served as secretary-general of the DPR Korea NOC from 1980 to 1985, before rising to vice sports minister, vice chairman of North Korea’s Olympic Committee, and vice president of the Olympic Council of Asia.

However, in 1996, Chang Ung was elected to the IOC, and with it, he became the only North Korean ever to serve on the committee, representing his country on the international stage for decades. Interestingly, Chang’s most remembered legacy lies in inter-Korean sports cooperation.

Over his long tenure with the IOC, Chang Ung served on several key committees. Even in 2023, he was awarded the Olympic Order, which is one of the organization’s highest honors. And now, as the news of his passing circulates, fans are left in disbelief.

Fans remember the mentor who united athletes across borders

“RIP,” one fan wrote, while another added, “Pray 🧘for the departed soul to rest in ☮️Peace 🙏.” Yet another said, “It hurts knowing he’s gone.” After all that Chang Ung accomplished, he will certainly be remembered for the bridges he built through sport.

Among his achievements were the first unified Korean teams at the 1991 World Table Tennis Championships in Japan. And then he even did joint marches at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where athletes from both Koreas walked together under a unification flag – that was the first such parade since the countries split in 1945.

But Chang Ung’s efforts continued at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, where the two nations marched together again and even formed a combined women’s ice hockey team.

One more fan wrote, “Rest in peace,” while another added, “Captain… I still remember watching him play.” Chang Ung’s influence extended beyond the court.

He was a teacher as well! Chang Ung started his career at Pyongyang University of Physical Education and Sports. He studied sports training and coaching techniques in service to North Korea’s conception of sports. After graduating, he served as a military officer from 1956 to 1966.

Then, from 1970 to 1974, Chang Ung taught at the Pyongyang Specialized School of Sports. There, he was able to develop his management skills. These skills would serve him well in the future.

Throughout his IOC career, he was involved with several commissions, such as the International Olympic Truce Centre and public affairs and social development through sport, culture, and Olympic heritage. In these capacities, he championed peace, cultural understanding, and international cooperation.

And now, Chang Ung leaves behind a son and a daughter who work in the sports industry in North Korea.