samsung's co-ceo han jong-hee passes away at 63, leaves tech giant in transition

2025-03-25 general

Seoul, Tuesday, 25 March 2025.
samsung electronics mourns the loss of co-ceo han jong-hee, who died at 63 following a heart attack. han, a key figure in samsung’s rise as a global leader in tvs and consumer electronics, had just addressed shareholders about the company’s disappointing stock performance and ai strategy a week prior. his death triggers a leadership reshuffle, with jun young-hyun now sole ceo amidst samsung’s challenges in the semiconductor market and competition with apple.

han’s career and contributions

Han Jong-hee joined Samsung in 1988 and ascended to lead the product research and development team for the visual display division by 2011 [1][7]. In 2022, he was appointed ceo [1]. Samsung acknowledged han’s instrumental role in establishing the company as a leading force in the tv market and his broader contributions to the company’s expansion amid difficult economic conditions [1]. He also oversaw the consumer electronics and mobile devices divisions [3][4]. His efforts were central to the rollout of samsung’s led tvs, which helped showcase the company’s technology leadership [2].

investor concerns and samsung’s challenges

Samsung has faced challenges, including lagging behind tsmc in semiconductor manufacturing and losing its smartphone market lead to apple [3][4]. Han addressed these issues at the annual shareholder meeting just a week before his death, where he apologized for the company’s stock performance [1][3]. He noted samsung’s failure to capitalize on the ai semiconductor boom, which led to it being among the worst-performing tech stocks the previous year [4]. Han also mentioned difficulties in semiconductor mergers and acquisitions due to regulatory and national interest issues [3].

market reaction and future outlook

Following the announcement of han’s death, samsung’s stock initially dipped but later recovered its losses in seoul trading [5]. Jun young-hyun, who was appointed co-ceo in november of the previous year, will now serve as the sole ceo [1]. Samsung had previously made leadership changes in its memory and foundry chip divisions due to intense competition [1]. Han’s funeral is scheduled to take place at samsung medical center in southern seoul [7]. The company has not yet announced han’s successor for his previous responsibilities [3].

Bronnen

samsung ceo