Samsung Electronics co-CEO Han Jong-hee dies of cardiac arrest at 63

Han died at a hospital while being treated for cardiac arrest, a company spokesperson said. The company is yet to name his successor.

News agency Reuters reported that Han was in charge of Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile devices division, while co-CEO Jun Young-hyun oversees the chip business of South Korea’s biggest company.

Samsung Electronics shares were flat in morning trade.

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Who was Han Jong-hee?

• Han Jong-hee, a three-decade Samsung veteran who began his career in the displays division, was appointed to his role just three years ago, news agency Bloomberg reported.
• Han’s widely credited for building Samsung Electronics into the industry leader for TVs, displacing Japanese rivals such as Sony Group Corp.
• He also oversaw a business that spanned most home appliances and competed with Apple Inc. in smartphones.

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• Most recently, Han took charge of efforts to integrate AI into Samsung’s range of Galaxy devices, in anticipation of a boom in artificial intelligence features for everyday use. Under Han’s leadership, the company has been installing AI chips in its fridges, washing machines and vacuum cleaners.

Setback for Samsung

Han’s death comes at a crucial juncture for the company as it seeks to catch up with SK Hynix Inc. in AI memory, and navigates sluggish demand for consumer electronics.

Last week, Han told attendees at Samsung’s annual shareholders’ meeting of the company’s challenges. He told investors that 2025 would be a difficult year, but the company would pursue mergers and acquisitions to address growth concerns, Bloomberg reported.

Han shared leadership duties with Jun Young-hyun, who’s taken the helm of the company’s pivotal semiconductor business. Han was in charge of everything else at the massive electronics manufacturer.

(With inputs from Reuters, Bloomberg)