The South Korean had been a part of the International Federation's administration for a decade after becoming chairman of the ITTF Standing Orders Committee in 1995.

In 2000, he was appointed onto the ITTF Executive Committee as vice-president for finance, a role he held until his retirement in 2005.

Prior to his time with the ITTF, Han was elected vice-president of the Korea Table Tennis Association in 1980 and eight years later became vice-president of the Asian Table Tennis Union, a role he held for seven years.

Before working in table tennis, Han was a teacher and spent four years from 1976 as the President of Korea Student Association.

In an article on the ITTF website, he was described as a "most well-respected official".

"However, most importantly it was as a human being where he set the greatest example for all", added author Ian Marshall.

"Always, a most welcoming host, for him every visitor to his country for a table tennis tournament was a valued guest; my distinct memory is in 2005 when the ITTF World Tour Korea Open was staged in Pyeongchang. 

"He drove some two hours to invite me to lunch."

Han had been part of the South Korean table tennis movement for more than 40 years.