Co-CEO of Samsung Electronics Han Jong-Hee, 63, passed away on Tuesday. According to a spokesperson for the tech giant, he died of a heart attack.
In an internal message seen by CNN, Samsung paid tribute to Han, saying he had dedicated more than 37 years of his life to leading Samsung’s TV business to become a global leader. As the head of its electronics and appliances businesses, he also contributed to the company’s growth amid a “challenging business environment.”
“Our deepest condolences are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the message said.
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Samsung is consistently one of the top smartphone manufacturers worldwide, competing with Apple for market share as well as the world’s largest memory chip maker, specializing in DRAM and NAND flash chips, competing with TSMC and Intel. In recent years, Samsung Electronics has consistently reported annual revenues exceeding $200 billion.
Who was Han Jong-Hee?
Han Jong-Hee was a prominent South Korean business executive and a key figure at Samsung Electronics. He was best known for his role in leading the company’s Visual Display and Consumer Electronics divisions. In 2021, he became Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics, following a reshuffling of the company’s executive leadership. His focus was on managing consumer electronics products such as TVs, monitors, and displays.
Prior to this, Han served as President and Head of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics, where he played a crucial role in driving the development of advanced display technologies, including OLED and QLED displays, helping Samsung become a global leader in the TV market. His leadership also extended to smart TV innovations, including improvements in user interface and smart features, solidifying Samsung’s position at the forefront of the industry.
In 2021, Samsung’s leadership structure was reorganized, and Han was appointed as one of the co-CEOs, sharing responsibilities with Koh Dong-jin, who oversaw mobile and IT businesses. Han’s promotion marked a significant shift, highlighting his influence over the company’s consumer electronics strategy and its future in display innovation.
Han was considered an important figure in Samsung’s efforts to strengthen its competitive position in the global tech market.