Han Jong-Hee, co-CEO of Samsung Electronics and head of its consumer electronics and mobile devices business, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 63, the company announced.
Han died after suffering a cardiac arrest.
A Samsung veteran
Han spent more than 30 years at Samsung, starting in the displays division before rising through the ranks.
As Han joined Samsung, the company had already established itself as a major player in consumer electronics and was expanding its focus on memory products through its semiconductor division.
Han initially worked in Research and Development, concentrating on display technologies.
During his time in R&D, he contributed to advancements that helped solidify Samsung’s position as a major TV manufacturer.
He was widely credited for making Samsung the global leader in TVs, overtaking Japanese rivals such as Sony Group Corp.
In 2013, Han’s career accelerated as he became Head of the R&D team in the Visual Display Business, having previously led Product R&D in the same division.
Under his leadership, Samsung reinforced its industry dominance and drove innovation, most notably through the development and commercialization of QLED technology and ultra-HD displays, both of which became significant successes for the company’s television business.
Han’s steady rise within Samsung continued, and in 2017, he took on the role of Head of the Visual Display Business.
His ascent culminated in his appointment as Vice Chairman, co-CEO, and Head of Device Experience, while also leading the company’s Digital Transformation efforts.
In 2022, Han was appointed co-CEO, leading Samsung’s home appliances and mobile devices division while Jun Young-hyun took charge of the semiconductor business.
During his tenure, Han pushed AI integration across Samsung’s product lineup, including smartphones, fridges, washing machines, and vacuum cleaners.
The company has been preparing for a new wave of AI-powered consumer devices, a trend Han strongly advocated.
Challenges ahead for Samsung
Han’s passing comes at a crucial time for Samsung.
The company is working to catch up with SK Hynix Inc. in AI memory chips, while also navigating a downturn in global demand for consumer electronics.
Just last week, Han spoke at Samsung’s annual shareholders’ meeting, warning investors that 2025 would be a difficult year.
He and other executives faced tough questions during the meeting from investors after the company’s failure to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom led to its underperformance in the tech sector last year.
“First and foremost, I sincerely apologize for the recent stock performance not meeting your expectations. Over the past year, our company failed to adequately respond to the rapidly evolving AI semiconductor market,” Han told shareholders.
He also indicated that Samsung was pursuing mergers and acquisitions to drive future growth.
Han was deeply involved in shaping Samsung’s future strategy, making his sudden death a significant loss for the company’s leadership.
Samsung has not yet announced who will take over Han’s responsibilities.
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