Han Jong-Hee, the co-CEO of Samsung Electronics, has passed away at the age of 63 after suffering a cardiac arrest, the company confirmed on Tuesday. Han, who had been with Samsung for more than three decades, played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s leadership in consumer electronics and mobile devices, leaving behind a significant legacy in the tech industry.
Born in 1962, Han joined Samsung Electronics in 1988, shortly after earning his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Inha University. Over the years, he became an influential figure within the company, rising through the ranks to become one of the top executives in the tech giant.
In 2022, Han was appointed as the vice chairman and co-CEO of Samsung Electronics, a role he shared with Jun Young-Hyun, who led the company’s semiconductor business. Han’s primary responsibility was overseeing the consumer electronics and mobile devices businesses, areas where he had made a substantial impact in helping Samsung grow into one of the world’s leading tech companies.
Han’s leadership was instrumental in guiding Samsung’s TV division to become a global leader in the industry. He also played a key role in the company’s electronics and appliances divisions, contributing significantly to the company’s growth, even as it navigated a challenging business environment in recent years.
In a statement issued by Samsung Electronics, the company expressed deep sadness over Han’s passing. An internal message shared with CNN described him as a dedicated leader who spent over 37 years of his life driving Samsung’s success. “Our deepest condolences are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the message said.
Han’s death comes as a significant shock to the global tech community. His vision and leadership were central to Samsung’s push to maintain its competitive edge in the tech world, particularly in its mobile and consumer electronics sectors.
Han’s untimely passing comes just days after he chaired Samsung’s annual investor meeting, where he had been candid about the challenges the company faced. During the meeting, Han acknowledged the poor performance of Samsung’s stock, offering an apology to investors. He also warned that 2025 would be a difficult year due to uncertainties surrounding the economic policies of major global economies.
Despite these challenges, Han expressed confidence that Samsung would focus on mergers and acquisitions (M&As) to ensure continued growth. He highlighted the obstacles Samsung faced in semiconductor M&As, which were complicated by regulatory issues and national interests. However, Han remained optimistic, stating that the company was determined to achieve “tangible results” in this area during the year.
Throughout his long career, Han was widely regarded as a visionary leader who contributed to Samsung’s rise to prominence. He was especially known for his role in transforming Samsung’s TV business into a global powerhouse, overseeing innovations that positioned the company at the forefront of the consumer electronics market.
Before his co-CEO role, Han had led Samsung’s display operations, where he made significant contributions to the development of cutting-edge display technologies. Under his leadership, Samsung became a leader in the production of high-quality displays for smartphones, televisions, and other electronic devices.
Han’s expertise was not limited to product innovation; he also played a crucial role in guiding the company’s broader business strategy. He was a key player in steering Samsung through a rapidly changing tech landscape, ensuring that the company adapted to shifting market demands and stayed ahead of competitors.
At present, Samsung has not announced a successor to Han’s co-CEO position. The company’s spokesperson stated that no immediate decisions had been made regarding the leadership transition.
Han’s passing leaves a significant void in Samsung’s leadership team, and the company faces the challenge of selecting a new leader who can continue his work in strengthening the company’s position in the global market. The future leadership of Samsung will play a critical role in navigating the ongoing economic uncertainties and ensuring the company remains competitive in key markets such as smartphones, semiconductors, and consumer electronics.
Samsung’s stock performance and the challenges faced by its semiconductor division were recurring themes in Han’s public remarks, especially at investor meetings. With a changing global economy and the rise of new competitors, the pressure on Samsung’s leadership to maintain its standing in the tech industry has never been greater.
As one of the world’s largest electronics companies, Samsung has had a profound impact on the global tech landscape. Han Jong-Hee’s contributions were not only pivotal in driving the success of the company’s consumer electronics division but also in shaping the direction of technology innovation in fields such as display technologies and mobile devices.
Under Han’s leadership, Samsung continued to push the boundaries of what was possible in the consumer electronics industry, producing groundbreaking products such as the Galaxy series of smartphones and high-definition TVs. The company’s success in these areas has helped it maintain a strong position in the competitive global tech market.
Han’s sudden death has sent shockwaves through the global tech community, where he was well-respected for his leadership and innovation. Many industry analysts and experts have expressed their condolences and praised Han’s contributions to Samsung and the broader technology sector.
Despite his untimely death, Han’s legacy will likely live on through the many innovations and products he helped bring to market. Samsung’s continued success in the tech world will undoubtedly be a testament to the foundation he helped build during his time with the company.
