Samsung Electronics announced today the unexpected death of its Co-CEO Han Jong-hee at the age of 63. The tech executive, a key figure in Samsung’s visual display business and instrumental in making the company a global TV market leader, died suddenly of cardiac arrest, according to company officials.
Han’s passing is a great loss to the South Korean giant, where he was Co-CEO from December 2021 and Kyung Kye-hyun. Han ascended to a top leader at Samsung over his 30-year stint with the company, known for turning Samsung’s TV business into the world’s number-one brand for 17 consecutive years.
“Samsung Electronics offers our most sincere condolences for the loss of Han Jong-hee,” it said in a statement. “He was an innovative leader who made significant contributions to our display business and to the wider electronics industry.”
Han was hired by Samsung in 1994 and became well-known for leading Samsung’s visual display business. He helped build Samsung’s QLED and MicroLED technologies, which enabled the company to stay atop the world TV market. His strategic vision also helped the company succeed in the premium home entertainment product space.
The sudden death of the executive at a difficult time for Samsung Electronics is coming as the company is struggling to cope with a global chip slump and mounting competition in consumer electronics. Analysts predict Han’s leadership will be deeply missed as the company readies for its next growth phase in sophisticated display technology and AI-driven devices.
Samsung has yet to disclose succession plans, although market analysts anticipate that the firm will continue to have a dual-CEO setup. Existing leadership, such as Vice Chairman and Co-CEO Kyung Kye-hyun, will in turn manage Han’s duties temporarily.
Tributes poured in from all corners of the tech industry, with both partners and competitors expressing their respect for Han’s leadership in the advancement of display technology and consumer electronics trends. LG Electronics, Samsung’s main local competitor, released a message of condolence noting Han’s impact on the industry.
Han’s passing is also echoing through South Korea’s corporate community in particular, where he was thought to have been among the country’s most successful executives. Government officials, such as the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy, publicly extended condolences while noting Han’s contributions to transforming South Korea into a leading global technology player.
Aside from his professional success, colleagues recalled Han as an innovation advocate who promoted talent and fostered innovation at Samsung. “He possessed a rare talent for sensing future market trends and challenging his teams to innovate,” said a veteran Samsung executive who worked directly with Han.
While Samsung laments the loss of one of its most important leaders, the company underscored that business operations will go on as usual. Still, Han’s departure leaves big shoes to fill as Samsung gears up to introduce its next wave of display technologies and smart devices later this year.
Private funeral arrangements are being made for family and close colleagues, with Samsung organizing a company memorial to pay tribute to Han’s legacy. The technology world will certainly feel the loss as Samsung and the wider industry go on to weather an age of accelerated technological change.
