Samsung Electronics has announced the sudden passing of its co-CEO, Han Jong-hee, at the age of 63 due to a heart attack. The company confirmed the news on Tuesday, expressing condolences to his family and loved ones. Han was one of the four executive directors on Samsung’s board and played a key role in the company’s global expansion, particularly in its visual display and digital appliances divisions.

Joining Samsung in 1988, Han steadily advanced within the organization. He was appointed head of the product research and development team in the visual display division in 2011, contributing significantly to the company’s dominance in the global television market. By 2022, he had risen to the position of CEO, overseeing Samsung’s device experience unit, which includes mobile phones and home appliances.

Samsung credited Han with strengthening its leadership in the TV industry and steering the company through a competitive and challenging business landscape. His recent appearance at Samsung’s annual general shareholders meeting in Suwon, South Korea, highlighted his involvement in addressing investor concerns about the company’s stock performance.

With Han’s passing, Jun Young-hyun, who was appointed co-CEO in November 2024, will take over as the sole CEO of Samsung Electronics. Jun was previously entrusted with leading Samsung’s memory chip division as part of the company’s strategic leadership reshuffle in response to growing competition in the semiconductor industry.

Samsung’s leadership transition comes at a crucial time for the company as it navigates market shifts and technological advancements. The sudden loss of Han marks the end of a significant era in Samsung’s leadership, leaving a lasting impact on its corporate trajectory.

PHOTO: AP//SEONJOON CHO

This article was created with AI assistance.