Samsung Co-CEO Han Jong-Hee Dies at 63
Samsung Co-CEO Han Jong-Hee Dies of Cardiac Arrest at 63
Samsung Electronics co-CEO Han Jong-Hee passed away on Tuesday, March 25, at the age of 63 after suffering a heart attack, the company confirmed to AFP.
Han, who was also a board member, died while receiving treatment for cardiac arrest at a hospital. A Samsung spokesperson stated that the company has not yet determined his successor. Han is survived by his wife and three children.
Appointed as CEO in 2022, Han oversaw Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile devices division, playing a pivotal role in the company’s success. Having joined Samsung in 1988, he was instrumental in elevating the brand’s television business to global prominence.
“Han was central in the unveiling of Samsung’s world-class LED TVs,” the company said in a biography published earlier this month, crediting him with leading innovations that reinforced Samsung’s position as a technology leader. Under his leadership, Samsung televisions maintained their dominance in the global market.
Samsung Electronics, the flagship subsidiary of the Samsung Group, operates under a co-CEO structure, dividing responsibilities between its consumer electronics and semiconductor divisions. Han, though not a member of the Samsung founding family, was a key executive shaping the company’s consumer business.
Industry analysts suggest his sudden passing could have long-term implications for Samsung’s strategy, particularly in global marketing efforts. “Han was the key figure behind making Samsung’s TV business influential on a global scale,” said one analyst.
Kim Dae-Jong, a business professor at Sejong University, warned that Han’s absence might impact Samsung’s ability to maintain its top position in the global TV market. “Considering his decades-long role in securing Samsung’s dominance, his passing could affect the company’s global strategy for years to come,” he told AFP.
Samsung Co-CEO Han Jong-Hee Dies at 63
