Samsung Electronics co-CEO Han Jong-Hee passed away from cardiac arrest on Tuesday at the age of 63, according to a spokesperson for the South Korean tech giant.
Han, who was born in 1962, had been leading Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile devices businesses since 2022. That same year, he was appointed vice chairman and CEO. His co-CEO, Jun Young-Hyun, who was recently named to the role, will now serve as the company’s sole CEO.
In an internal message seen by CNN, Samsung honored Han’s 37-year career, noting his instrumental role in transforming the company’s TV business into a global leader. As the head of its electronics and appliances division, he also guided Samsung through a challenging business environment. “Our deepest condolences are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the statement read.
Han’s death comes at a turbulent time for Samsung. The company has struggled to keep pace with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) in producing advanced logic chips and securing key clients. Additionally, in the memory chip sector—where Samsung has traditionally dominated—the company has lagged behind South Korean rival SK Hynix in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) technology, a critical component for AI-driven graphics processing units used by companies like Nvidia.
During last week’s annual investor meeting, which Han chaired, he acknowledged Samsung’s stock underperformance and warned of a challenging 2025 due to global economic uncertainties. He emphasized the company’s commitment to mergers and acquisitions to drive growth, despite regulatory hurdles. “We’re determined to produce some tangible results this year,” he stated.
Han joined Samsung in 1988 after earning a degree in electrical engineering from Inha University. Before leading the electronics and devices division, he oversaw Samsung’s display operations. He played a pivotal role in the development and rollout of Samsung’s LED TVs, a breakthrough that solidified the company’s leadership in display technology.
Samsung recognized Han’s contributions in a company biography published last week, crediting him with innovations that helped the tech giant maintain its industry dominance.
Source: Swifteradio.com
