Chang Ung
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chang Ung | |
|---|---|
장웅 | |
 Chang in 2007 | |
| Honorary Life President of the ITF | |
| In office 26 August 2015 – 29 March 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| President of the ITF | |
| In office 22 September 2002 – 26 August 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Choi Hong Hi |
| Succeeded by | Ri Yong-son |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 July 1938 Heijō, Korea, Japan (now Pyongyang, North Korea) |
| Died | 29 March 2026 (aged 87) |
| Occupation | Sports administrator |
Chang Ung (Korean: 장웅, 5 July 1938 – 29 March 2026) was a North Korean sports administrator and athlete. He was the honorary life president of the International Taekwon-Do Federation, having previously served as its President from 2002 to 2015 following the death of General Choi Hong Hi from stomach cancer on 15 June 2002. Chang previously served as a member of the International Olympic Committee representing North Korea, and later served as an honorary member of the IOC.[1][2]
On 22 September 2002, 70 representatives from 46 countries attended a memorial service for General Choi Hong Hi. The solemn and memorable service was held in Pyongyang, North Korea. Choi Hong Hi spoke to a select group of ITF officials and high-level instructors on his deathbed at Pyongyang Hospital.[3][4] It was recorded that there might be no misinterpretation of his intentions regarding the future of the ITF. The following is an excerpt:
- You probably might know Mr. Chang Ung well. It is time to introduce Mr. Chang Ung proudly in public. Please carry on propaganda that Mr. Chang Ung is the tallest and in the highest position in the ITF. If only I had been as tall as Mr. Chang Ung, I could have had less opponents, however, as my body was so tiny that there were many opponents. Thus, all alone, I could not but fight against them for so long. But I have never been worn out for the justice was on my side. I have always worried about a successor to the President, however, my mind is set at ease for there is Mr. Chang Ung.[3]
These last words were witnessed by: Mr. Rhee Ki Ha, Grand Master and former Vice-President of the ITF; Mr. Tom MacCallum, Master and the Secretary General; Mr. Leong Wei Meng, Master and the Chairman of the Consultative Committee; Mr. Kwang Sung Hwang, Grand Master, spokesman and special aide; Mr. Park Jong Soo, Grand Master and a member of the Consultative Council; Mr. Hwang Jin, Master and a member of the Consultative Council; Mr. Hwang Bong Yong, Chairman of the Korean Taekwon-Do Committee; Mr. Jong Jae Hun, Secretary General of the International Martial Art Games Committee and Mr. Rang Bong Man, Secretary General of the Korean Taekwon-Do Committee.[5]
A special Congress of the ITF and memorial was held at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on September 22, 2002, after Choi's death. It was here that Presidents and representatives from 46 national Taekwon-Do federations unanimously elected Mr. Chang Ung, member of the International Olympic Committee, as president of the ITF.[6][7] He was re-elected as president on October 13, 2009.[8]