Chang Ung, a prominent figure in North Korean sports diplomacy and the only member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from North Korea, passed away at the age of 87. The IOC expressed profound sadness over his death, announcing that the Olympic flag would be flown at half-mast for three days at their headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. Chang was a former basketball player who transitioned into athletics administration, serving in various roles including vice sports minister and vice chairman of North Korea's national Olympic Committee. His most notable achievements include leading North and South Korea's joint participation in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where athletes marched together under a 'unification flag'. He also played a key role in the establishment of unified teams for events like the 1991 world table tennis championships and the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. Despite his contributions to fostering sports ties, recent years have seen a decline in exchanges between the two Koreas due to deteriorating political relations. Chang's legacy is marked by his efforts to use sports as a means of building bridges and promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula.