Samsung Co-CEO Han Jong-hee Passes Away at 63, Leaving Legacy in Tech Innovation

In This Article

• Han Jong-hee’s Journey in Samsung Electronics
• Samsung Announces the Death of Han Jong-hee
• Samsung Future Leadership Plans After Han Jong-hee

South Korea’s Samsung Electronics is saddened to officially announce the news of its co-chief executive officer, Han Jong-hee’s, death. According to resources, he died at 63, and the reason was cardiac arrest on March 25, 2025. As a dedicated leader, Han has worked for almost four decades for the company and was a driving force behind the success of the mobile device division and consumer electronics. It was his era when the company met global prominence.

Han’s vision was to enhance the company’s operations in the television market and to work in the home appliance sector. His death is considered a gap in the company’s strategic features, particularly at a critical time when it is facing tough competition in the AI chip-making race. The company is struggling to regain its leading position in the smartphone industry and now has to appoint a new co-CEO to fill the gap.

Han Jong-hee’s Journey in Samsung Electronics

Han joined the Samsung company in 1988 on a small rank but struggled continuously to get promotions and success. Through his hard work and constant efforts, he rose through the ranks, and in 2011, he was appointed the head of the visual display division. In these years, he became a prominent figure in the Visual Display (TV) and Consumer Electronics divisions.

Under Han’s leadership, Samsung maintained its position as the number one electronic company and world’s best TV manufacturer for the next 17 years, which means a lot in the company’s history. Samsung has set new records and benchmarks in the latest innovations like OLED, QLED, 4K, and 8K displays.

In 2021, Han was appointed as the co-CEO and vice chairman where the Device eXperience (DX) division was working under his instructions. At this point, Han knew the significance of the latest innovations just like Weborik Hub knew; therefore, he provided strategic investments in AI-driven functionalities. Weborik Hub is presenting the ultimate experience in AI integration in web solutions for efficient performance and automated features for smooth output.

To maintain the balance between innovation and efficiency, Samsung’s expansion in the AI and metaverse was a critical step, leading the company to be in the global race and the digital trends. Han is considered the pioneer member working to fulfill the commitments to innovation at Samsung. Currently, his mission was to compete with the Chinese tech giants for the latest handsets, like foldable smartphones and AI chip making.

Samsung Announces the Death of Han Jong-hee

Samsung Electronics has shared its deep sorrow and sadness over losing one of the most innovative and hardworking leaders who worked for the company’s advancement and success by heart. It has credited Han as the driving force behind the company’s global number-one position and the strength behind the consumer electronics and display device dominance.

Just one week before his death, Han hosted the annual general stakeholder meeting at Suwon, South Korea, where he had a strong concern about the company’s weak stock position.

Samsung has presented the tribute to Han in a special message given at CNN. According to the resources, the company finds Han’s 37-year tenure, the remarkable era of its success, and admits that Han had a big role in achieving the title of best electrical appliance business in the challenging environment and the business competition. It officially said:

Our deepest condolences are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time

Samsung Future Leadership Plans After Han Jong-hee

Although no one is officially appointed to Han Jong-hee’s positions, some resources indicate the potential members that can get the titles. JH Han is Jong’s deputy and may get the position. To maintain the performance of the DX (Device eXperience) division, temporarily some senior executives will work, and the company will decide the most suitable person in some time.

The reason behind Han’s death was a heart attack, and it was an unexpected loss; therefore, the company had no idea or plans to appoint people in his place. Now, the company has to arrange emergency meetings, appoint new titles, and work on different other strategies to maintain the functions. Currently, electronic companies are facing the heat of competition in innovative technologies like AI chips and other intelligence therefore, Samsung has to promptly act to maintain its position and to work for better performance in the stock market.