Bhubaneswar: Samsung Electronics co-CEO Han Jong-Hee, a longtime veteran of the company, passed away at 63 due to cardiac arrest on Tuesday, the company confirmed.
Han passed away at the hospital on Tuesday, while being treated for cardiac arrest, However, leaving a newly appointed Jun Young-Hyun solely in charge as Samsung restructured its struggling chip business amid trade uncertainties.
Han was born in 1962, 40 years ago he joined Samsung company in 1988 and at the age of 63, he became the CEO of South Korea’s largest company in 2022, leading Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile and was named vice chairman the same year.
However, Jun was appointed Samsung’s co-CEO last week after being promoted in 2024 to lead its struggling semiconductor division. Following Han’s death, Samsung confirmed in a stock exchange filing that Jun would be the sole CEO. Samsung shares fell 0.5%, in line with the broader South Korean market.
As per CNN, Samsung honored Han for his 37 years of dedication, leading its TV business to global success and driving growth in electronics and appliances despite a “challenging business environment.” “Our deepest condolences are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the company stated. A spokesperson told CNN that no announcement has been made about his successor.
However, Han, who was also a board member, graduated from Inha University in Incheon, South Korea, with a degree in electrical engineering. He joined Samsung in 1988, shortly after the death of its founder, Lee Byung-Chul, during a crucial period in the company’s history. Under Lee’s son and successor, Samsung navigated rapid technological changes to dominate the flat-screen display and mobile phone markets.
Samsung stated that Han is survived by his wife and three children. The company has not yet decided on his successor.
