Samsung Electronics‘ co-CEO, Han Jong-Hee, has died of cardiac arrest at the age of 63, a company spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday.
Born in 1962, Han had been overseeing Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile devices businesses since 2022. In the same year, he was appointed vice chairman and co-CEO, alongside Jun Young-Hyun, who oversees the company’s semiconductor division.
Han’s passing comes at a challenging time for Samsung, which has struggled to keep pace with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) in the race for cutting-edge chip production and high-profile clients.
Just last week, during an annual meeting with investors, Han warned of a tough 2025 due to economic policy uncertainties in major markets. He also revealed Samsung’s intent to pursue “meaningful” mergers and acquisitions this year to drive growth.
“There are some difficulties in doing semiconductor M&As due to regulatory issues and various national interests, but we’re determined to produce some tangible results this year,” Han said, quoted by Reuters.
Han joined Samsung in 1988 after earning a degree in electrical engineering from Inha University. Before leading the electronics and devices division, he played a key role in the company’s display business.
Samsung credited Han with catapulting its TV business to the top of the global market in 2006 and maintaining its dominance ever since.
“He played a pivotal role in taking Samsung’s TV business to the pinnacle of the global market in 2006 and keeping it there ever since,” the company said in a biography published last week.
Han was “central” in Samsung’s LED TVs and other innovations, which helped in strengthening the company’s reputation for technological leadership.