Samsung Co-CEO Han Jong-Hee Dies at 63: A Legacy of Innovation and Leadership

Samsung Electronics and the global tech industry are mourning the loss of Han Jong-Hee, co-CEO of Samsung Electronics, who passed away at the age of 63 due to cardiac arrest. Han, a visionary leader, played a crucial role in shaping Samsung’s consumer electronics and semiconductor business over nearly four decades. His passing marks the end of an era for one of the most influential figures in modern technology.

Who Was Han Jong-Hee?

Han Jong-Hee was born in 1962 in South Korea. He pursued his higher education at Inha University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. His technical expertise and innovative mindset laid the foundation for his remarkable career at Samsung Electronics. 

He joined Samsung in 1988, a pivotal period when the company was emerging as a global electronics powerhouse. His career at Samsung spanned over 37 years, during which he played a key role in transforming Samsung into a leader in consumer electronics, semiconductors, and display technology.

Rise to Leadership: Samsung’s Visionary CEO

Han’s leadership trajectory saw him overseeing some of the most important divisions within Samsung:

• Head of Display Division (Pre-2021): Before leading Samsung's consumer electronics division, Han was instrumental in the development of LED and QLED TV technologies, which solidified Samsung’s position as the world’s number one TV brand for more than a decade.

• CEO of Consumer Electronics Division (2021-2022): In 2021, he was appointed as the head of Samsung’s Consumer Electronics division, overseeing TVs, home appliances, and mobile devices.

• Co-CEO of Samsung Electronics (2022-2025): In 2022, Han was promoted to Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics. As a co-CEO, he focused on strengthening Samsung’s market leadership while navigating a competitive and challenging global business environment. His passing comes just a week after Samsung named Jun Young-Hyun as a co-CEO. Following Han’s death, Jun will now serve as the sole CEO, overseeing the company’s transition during a challenging period in the global tech industry.

Han Jong-Hee’s Achievements in the Tech Industry

Han was known for his technological foresight, leadership, and innovation in various sectors, particularly in consumer electronics and semiconductors. Some of his most significant contributions include:

• Revolutionizing the TV Industry: Han played a pivotal role in Samsung’s TV business, making it the world’s leading TV manufacturer for more than 18 consecutive years. Under his leadership, Samsung pioneered LED, QLED, MicroLED, and Neo QLED TV technology, setting new industry standards for display quality and performance.

• Advancing Semiconductor Technology: Although primarily known for consumer electronics, Han also contributed to the semiconductor business, which remains Samsung’s most profitable division. He pushed for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, a crucial technology for AI-driven GPUs used by Nvidia, AMD, and Intel.

• Expanding Samsung’s Smart Home and AI Integration: Han was a strong advocate for AI-powered smart homes, IoT (Internet of Things), and home automation. His vision for interconnected devices helped Samsung develop AI-driven appliances, smart TVs, and digital assistants.

• Overseeing Samsung’s Growth Amid Global Challenges: During his tenure, Han helped navigate Samsung through global supply chain disruptions, semiconductor shortages, and geopolitical trade challenges, ensuring that the company remained competitive.

A Respected Leader in the Tech Industry

Samsung paid tribute to Han in an internal message, recognizing his 37-year commitment, dedication, and leadership to the company and his contributions to its global success. His leadership helped Samsung navigate an evolving technology industry, ensuring its place as a leader in innovation.

Following his death, Jun Young-Hyun, who was recently appointed as co-CEO, will take over Samsung’s leadership. Jun, a semiconductor expert, is expected to focus on strengthening Samsung’s chipmaking business, where it competes with TSMC and SK Hynix.

Despite Samsung’s dominance in the consumer electronics market, the company has faced growing competition in the semiconductor industry. It has struggled to keep up with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) in chip production and has fallen behind South Korean rival SK Hynix in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) technology.

Han had acknowledged these challenges during an investor meeting just days before his passing, expressing Samsung’s commitment to strengthening its semiconductor business and pursuing mergers and acquisitions to drive growth.

A Legacy That Will Endure

Han Jong-Hee leaves behind a legacy of innovation, leadership, and technological excellence. His vision helped Samsung become a global technology powerhouse, and his contributions to the TV, semiconductor, and consumer electronics industries will continue to shape the future.

As the tech world mourns his loss, Han's impact on Samsung and the broader technology industry remains undeniable. He will be remembered as one of the key architects of Samsung’s global success.

A funeral service for Han Jong-Hee is scheduled for Thursday, where family, friends, and colleagues will honor his memory. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Rest in peace, Han Jong-Hee (1962-2025).