Han Jong-Hee’s sudden death leaves Jun Young-Hyun as Samsung’s sole CEO during a critical phase for the company. Here’s the full story!
Samsung Electronics has announced the sudden passing of its co-CEO and Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee. Han was a pivotal figure in the company’s rise as a global consumer electronics leader. He died of cardiac arrest on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at a local hospital, according to an official statement from the company.
A Legacy of Innovation
Han Jong-hee joined Samsung in 1988 and over nearly four decades, he climbed the ranks, eventually leading the display and consumer electronics business. His most notable achievement came in 2006 when he helped Samsung become the global leader in television sales, a position the company has held ever since.
He was named co-CEO and vice chairman in 2022, taking charge of the consumer electronics and mobile devices division. Under his leadership, Samsung solidified its reputation for high-quality TVs and home appliances, navigating the growing competition in the smartphone sector.
Leadership Transition at a Crucial Moment
Samsung has not yet named a successor to Han’s specific role overseeing consumer electronics and mobile devices. However, Jun is now the sole CEO, tasked with steering the tech giant through turbulent waters. Jun, who took over the struggling chip division in 2024, faces the challenge of reviving the company’s fortunes in the high-stakes AI chip market.
Challenges Ahead
At the March 19 shareholder meeting, his last public appearance — Han openly acknowledged Samsung’s struggles, including its poor stock performance. He attributed much of the decline to the company’s failure to surf the AI semiconductor wave.
He also warned that 2025 would be “challenging” due to global economic uncertainties and rising tariffs, particularly under renewed trade policies from U.S. President Donald Trump.
He also expressed hope for “meaningful mergers and acquisitions” despite ongoing regulatory hurdles and emphasized the need to leverage Samsung’s global supply chain to mitigate tariff impacts.
Market Reaction
Following the announcement of Han’s death, Samsung’s shares fell 0.5% on Tuesday — in line with broader market trends but reflective of ongoing investor concerns. The company has been among the worst-performing tech stocks in the past year, largely due to setbacks in the AI chip segment and a loss of smartphone market leadership to Apple.
As Samsung regroups under Jun Young-hyun’s leadership, the tech world will be watching closely to see whether the company can reclaim its edge in both consumer tech and advanced semiconductors — areas where Han Jong-hee left a lasting mark.
