SEOUL – Samsung Electronics has announced the sudden death of Han Jong-hee, the company’s co-CEO, who passed away on Tuesday from a heart attack at the age of 63. His unexpected passing leaves Jun Young-hyun, a recently appointed executive, solely in charge of the South Korean tech giant during a critical phase of corporate restructuring and fierce global competition.
Han, a veteran of nearly 40 years at Samsung, was responsible for the company’s consumer electronics and mobile device divisions. He was known as the architect of Samsung’s dominance in the global TV market and had served as co-CEO since 2022.
According to Samsung’s official filing with the stock exchange, Jun Young-hyun, who was named co-CEO just last week, will now take over as the sole CEO. Jun previously led the company’s semiconductor division, which has recently come under fire for falling behind rivals like SK Hynix and TSMC, particularly in the booming AI chip market.
A Sudden Loss During a Critical Transition
Han passed away at a hospital while being treated for cardiac arrest, a Samsung spokesperson confirmed. The company has not yet named a successor for his board position or commented on internal restructuring plans following his death.
His death comes at a time when Samsung is undergoing a major overhaul of its chip business, reeling from declining earnings, a falling share price, and an erosion of market leadership in smartphones and semiconductors.
Samsung’s shares slipped by 0.66% on Tuesday, mirroring the broader South Korean market.
Han’s Enduring Legacy
Han began his career at Samsung nearly four decades ago and rose to prominence by transforming the company’s television business into a global leader.
“Han was the key figure behind making Samsung’s TV business influential on a global scale,” said an analyst who requested anonymity. “His passing may affect long-term business strategy, especially in marketing and brand positioning.”
His absence is expected to pose challenges for Samsung’s ongoing efforts to revitalize its home appliance division, amid global tariff tensions and growing trade protectionism.
Leadership Under Pressure
Just last week, during Samsung’s annual shareholder meeting, Han candidly addressed the company’s struggles, calling 2025 “a difficult year” and vowing to respond flexibly to U.S. tariffs introduced under President Donald Trump.
Han also apologized to shareholders for the company’s underwhelming stock performance and failure to capitalize on the AI semiconductor boom that fueled growth for competitors.
“Over the past year, our company failed to adequately respond to the rapidly evolving AI semiconductor market,” Han admitted during the meeting.
Samsung has lagged in producing high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips—key components used in AI processing units by companies like Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA).
Chairman Jay Y. Lee Observes Developments from China
Meanwhile, Samsung Chairman Jay Y. Lee is currently in China attending the China Development Forum, where he reportedly visited Xiaomi’s EV factory in Beijing and BYD’s headquarters in Shenzhen. Photos shared on Chinese social media have confirmed his engagements, though Samsung has declined to officially comment on the trip.
Lee’s presence in China signals Samsung’s growing interest in automotive electronics, a market seen as vital for future growth.
Despite his legal battles in recent years, Lee remains the public face of Samsung. In February, he was cleared of charges related to his succession of the conglomerate, though prosecutors have appealed the ruling.
Moving Forward
Han’s death leaves Samsung with the challenge of navigating internal transitions while responding to fierce competition, geopolitical trade tensions, and technological disruption.
The company’s traditional co-CEO model, which separated leadership between its consumer and semiconductor businesses, is now in question. Jun Young-hyun’s rapid elevation comes with the task of stabilizing Samsung’s strategic direction and restoring investor confidence.
Samsung is expected to provide further updates on leadership and strategic priorities in the coming weeks.
This is a developing story.
