Han Jong-Hee Obituary News – Samsung Electronics co-CEO Han Jong-Hee passed away from cardiac arrest on Tuesday at the age of 63, the South Korean tech giant confirmed. His death marks the end of a career spanning more than three decades, during which he played a pivotal role in the company’s rise as a leader in consumer electronics and display technology.
A Legacy of Leadership at Samsung
Born in 1962, Han joined Samsung in 1988 after earning a degree in electrical engineering from Inha University. Over the years, he worked his way up through the ranks, ultimately becoming vice chairman and co-CEO in 2022. As head of Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile devices divisions, Han was responsible for steering the company’s TV and home appliance business through challenging market conditions.
Under his leadership, Samsung became a dominant force in the global television industry, thanks in part to the development and rollout of LED TV technology. His contributions extended beyond televisions, helping Samsung expand its footprint in home appliances and other consumer electronics. Samsung acknowledged his impact in an internal message, describing his dedication over 37 years and expressing condolences to his family and loved ones.
Challenges Facing Samsung
Han’s passing comes at a time of turbulence for Samsung, particularly in its semiconductor business. While the company remains a giant in the industry, it has struggled in key areas. In the contract chipmaking sector, Samsung lags behind Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which has been more successful in scaling up advanced chip production and attracting major clients.
Additionally, Samsung has lost ground in the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chip market, where its South Korean competitor, SK Hynix, has gained the upper hand. HBM chips are crucial for artificial intelligence-driven computing, particularly for graphics processing units (GPUs) developed by companies like Nvidia. These struggles have led to a decline in Samsung’s share price and raised concerns about its future competitiveness.
Han’s Final Address to Investors
Just a week before his death, Han chaired Samsung’s annual investor meeting, during which he acknowledged the company’s stock performance and warned of an uncertain economic outlook for 2025. He reassured investors that Samsung was committed to strengthening its position through strategic mergers and acquisitions, despite regulatory and geopolitical challenges.
“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, according to Reuters.
His remarks reflected Samsung’s ambition to reinforce its semiconductor business and regain its competitive edge in key markets.
Jun Young-Hyun to Lead Samsung as Sole CEO
Following Han’s passing, Samsung confirmed that his co-CEO, Jun Young-Hyun, who was appointed just last week, will now serve as the company’s sole CEO. Jun has been leading Samsung’s semiconductor division, and his leadership will be crucial in navigating the company through its current challenges.
Han Jong-Hee leaves behind a lasting legacy at Samsung, having played an instrumental role in shaping the company’s technological advancements and global market dominance. His contributions to Samsung’s rise in the TV industry and his vision for the company’s future growth will be remembered as defining elements of his career.