Samsung Electronics co-CEO, Han Jong-Hee, tragically passed away on Tuesday at the age of 63 due to cardiac arrest, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the company.
Born in 1962, Han had been at the helm of Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile devices divisions since 2022, and was appointed vice chairman and co-CEO of Samsung Electronics in the same year. His co-CEO, Jun Young-Hyun, who had been leading the semiconductor business, was named the sole CEO of the company following Han’s sudden passing.
In a heartfelt internal message, Samsung expressed deep admiration for Han’s remarkable 37-year career with the company. The message highlighted his pivotal role in transforming Samsung’s TV division into a global powerhouse and his significant contributions to the growth of Samsung’s electronics and appliance businesses, even in the face of a challenging business landscape. “Our deepest condolences are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the company said.
Despite recent struggles, including challenges in its semiconductor and memory chip businesses, Samsung remains a leading force in the industry. Its logic semiconductor business lags behind Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) in scaling up cutting-edge chip production, and its memory chip sector has been overtaken by South Korea’s Hynix in the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) market, contributing to a slump in its stock price. During a recent investors’ meeting, Han expressed concern over the company’s stock performance and warned of a tough 2025, citing uncertainties related to global economic policies. However, he remained resolute, saying Samsung would pursue “meaningful” mergers and acquisitions to drive growth despite the challenges posed by regulatory and geopolitical factors.
Han, who joined Samsung in 1988 after earning a degree in electrical engineering from Inha University, had an instrumental role in launching Samsung’s LED TVs and other technological innovations that cemented the company’s leadership in the electronics industry. His legacy will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on Samsung’s history.
