Han Jong-Hee, co-CEO of Samsung, passes away at age 63

Samsung Mourns the Loss of Co-CEO Han Jong-Hee at Age 63

Samsung Electronics is facing a major leadership loss following the sudden passing of its co-CEO and vice chairman, Han Jong-Hee, at the age of 63. Han, who played a crucial role in Samsung’s rise as a global leader in consumer electronics, reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack on March 25, 2025.

His unexpected death comes at a critical time for the South Korean technology giant, which has been navigating intense competition and industry challenges.

A Distinguished Career at Samsung

Born in 1962, Han Jong-Hee dedicated more than three decades of his life to Samsung. He joined the company in 1988 as an engineer in the Visual Display division, where he quickly rose through the ranks. Over the years, Han became a key figure in Samsung’s TV and home entertainment business, helping the company dominate the global television market for 19 consecutive years.

His contributions led to his promotion as president of the Visual Display business in 2017, and later, in 2022, he was appointed co-CEO and vice chairman of Samsung Electronics. In this role, Han oversaw Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile divisions, steering the company through a rapidly evolving technology landscape.

Leadership Amidst Challenges

Han’s tenure as co-CEO came during a period of significant transformation and competition. Samsung, long considered the world’s top smartphone manufacturer, faced increasing pressure from rivals such as Apple, Huawei, and Xiaomi. Additionally, the company struggled to maintain its edge in AI chip manufacturing, as SK Hynix emerged as a dominant supplier for major AI-focused firms like Nvidia.

Despite these challenges, Han remained committed to expanding Samsung’s presence in multiple sectors, from smart home technology to foldable smartphones and AI-powered devices.

During Samsung’s annual investor meeting just a week before his passing, Han publicly addressed concerns over Samsung’s stock performance and competitive position. He acknowledged the company’s difficulties and promised “meaningful mergers and acquisitions” to drive growth in the coming years.

Impact on Samsung’s Future

Han’s death has left Samsung in a difficult position, particularly with upcoming product launches and the company’s ongoing investments in AI and semiconductor development.

With Han’s passing, Jun Young-hyun, who was promoted last year to oversee Samsung’s semiconductor business, is expected to take on a more prominent leadership role. This change in leadership comes at a time when Samsung is facing declining profits and pressure to innovate, particularly in AI-driven consumer electronics.

Industry analysts predict that Samsung may need to restructure its leadership strategy to continue competing effectively against tech giants such as Apple, Google, and Nvidia.

A Legacy of Innovation

Colleagues and industry professionals have described Han Jong-Hee as a visionary leader whose strategic decisions helped Samsung solidify its reputation as a global technology powerhouse.

Some of his most notable achievements include:

Revolutionizing the TV industry – Han was instrumental in Samsung’s development of QLED and 8K TV technology, which set new standards in display quality and performance.
Expanding Samsung’s smart home ecosystem – Under his leadership, Samsung integrated AI and IoT capabilities into its consumer electronics lineup, strengthening its dominance in the smart home market.
Pioneering foldable smartphones – Samsung’s Galaxy Z series became the market leader in foldable technology, thanks to Han’s push for innovation.
Strengthening partnerships in AI – Han played a key role in Samsung’s investments in AI research and partnerships with companies like Google and OpenAI to develop smarter, more interactive devices.

Samsung’s Stock and Market Response

The news of Han Jong-Hee’s passing has had a noticeable impact on Samsung’s stock, with investors expressing concern over the company’s leadership stability.

On March 26, Samsung’s stock price dropped by nearly 3% in early trading, reflecting market uncertainty. However, some analysts believe that Samsung’s long-term strategies remain intact, and the company’s leadership team is well-equipped to continue executing its plans.

Tributes and Funeral Arrangements

Following the announcement of his death, tributes have poured in from across the tech industry. Many executives, including Tim Cook (Apple CEO) and Sundar Pichai (Google CEO), have expressed condolences and praised Han’s leadership and contributions to the technology sector.

Samsung has confirmed that Han’s funeral will take place at Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, with the procession scheduled for Thursday, March 28, 2025.

The Road Ahead for Samsung

For Samsung, Han’s death signifies the end of an era. As the company prepares to navigate a rapidly changing tech landscape, the challenge will be to continue his vision for innovation and market leadership.

Samsung is expected to announce its new leadership strategy in the coming weeks, as the company works to reassure investors and consumers about its long-term stability.

While Han Jong-Hee’s sudden death has created uncertainty, his legacy of technological advancement and strategic leadership will continue to shape Samsung’s future for years to come.