Samsung Electronics confirmed on Tuesday that its co-CEO and Vice Chairman Jong-Hee Han has died at the age of 63 after suffering a heart attack. Han, a longtime veteran of the South Korean tech conglomerate, passed away after being treated for cardiac arrest at a hospital, according to a company statement released early Tuesday morning.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Vice Chairman and CEO Jong-Hee Han,” Samsung said. “Our deepest condolences are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Han, who had served in his dual role since 2022, was responsible for overseeing Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile communications divisions, two of the company’s most visible and globally influential business arms. Known internally as a stabilizing force with a deep understanding of the company’s technical and market strategies, Han had become a central figure in steering Samsung through a turbulent era for the tech sector.
Following Han’s death, Samsung stated in a regulatory filing that Young-Hyun Jun, who currently leads the company’s semiconductor and components division, will become the sole CEO. Jun’s appointment comes at a critical moment, as Samsung faces mounting challenges in both the consumer electronics and semiconductor markets.
Jong-Hee Han died from a heart attack. YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images
Han’s passing comes just days after he addressed shareholders at an annual meeting, where he issued a rare public apology for the company’s disappointing stock performance. “First and foremost, I sincerely apologize for the recent stock performance not meeting your expectations,” Han said during the meeting. “Over the past year, our company failed to adequately respond to the rapidly evolving AI semiconductor market.”
His comments reflected growing investor concerns over Samsung’s ability to maintain its industry leadership, particularly as competition from Apple and other rivals intensifies. In January, Apple overtook Samsung as the world’s top smartphone seller—a position the South Korean firm had held for more than a decade.
Samsung’s overall stock performance has mirrored that pressure. Shares are down more than 20% over the past year, and the company has faced criticism for lagging behind in the AI-driven semiconductor space, where firms like NVIDIA and TSMC have made aggressive investments.
Han joined Samsung in 1988 and rose steadily through the ranks over nearly four decades. He was widely credited with leading the company’s rise to dominance in the global TV market, helping Samsung become the world’s largest television manufacturer. His tenure as co-CEO marked an ambitious pivot toward integrating advanced AI technologies into consumer products and strengthening the firm’s smartphone ecosystem amid increasing global competition.
Despite the challenges, Han was instrumental in pushing forward Samsung’s strategic international investments. Notably, in April 2024, he played a key role in announcing a dramatic expansion of Samsung’s U.S. chip operations, pledging to double the company’s investment in Texas to $44 billion. The move was part of a broader plan to bolster domestic semiconductor production and reduce reliance on Asian supply chains, particularly in response to emerging geopolitical and economic uncertainties, including potential tariffs proposed by the Trump administration.
Han’s sudden passing leaves a leadership void at a pivotal time for the tech giant. As the global technology race accelerates—with artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and next-generation chip manufacturing at its core—Samsung’s ability to execute on its long-term strategy will be closely scrutinized.
Market reactions to the news were muted but noticeable. Samsung shares dipped slightly on South Korea’s main stock exchange following confirmation of Han’s death, amid investor uncertainty over the company’s near-term direction.
Industry peers and business leaders across South Korea and beyond have begun paying tribute to Han, recognizing his contributions not only to Samsung, but to the broader technology industry. He is survived by his family, who have requested privacy during this time.
Jong-Hee Han’s legacy is likely to endure at Samsung for years to come, particularly in the innovations and global expansion he helped engineer. His passing marks the end of an era for the company and a new phase of leadership as it navigates a rapidly evolving global tech landscape.
