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Samsung Electronics co-CEO Han Jong-hee has died of cardiac arrest at the age of 63, the company announced on Tuesday. He passed away at a hospital while receiving treatment. The company has not yet named a successor.
Han was responsible for Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile devices division, while co-CEO Jun Young-hyun oversees the semiconductor business. Following the news, Samsung Electronics' stock remained stable during morning trading.
Who Was Han Jong-hee?
Han worked at Samsung for over 30 years, starting in the displays division. He became co-CEO in 2021 and played a key role in making Samsung the top brand in the TV industry, surpassing Japanese competitors like Sony.
He also managed Samsung’s home appliance business and helped the company compete with Apple in the smartphone market. Recently, he focused on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into Samsung’s products, including Galaxy smartphones, refrigerators, washing machines, and vacuum cleaners.
A Critical Time for Samsung
Han's sudden passing comes as Samsung faces major challenges, including competition in AI memory technology and slow demand for consumer electronics. Just last week, he spoke at the company's annual shareholders' meeting, warning that 2025 would be tough but emphasizing plans for mergers and acquisitions to drive growth.
While Jun Young-hyun continues to lead the semiconductor business, Han was responsible for all other aspects of Samsung’s electronics division. His death marks a significant loss for the company at a crucial time.
