Samsung Electronics Co. announced on March 24 that its co-CEO, Jong-Hee Han, had died from cardiac arrest at the age of 63. Han shared leadership duties with co-CEO Young-hyun Jun, who manages the company's semiconductor division. Since his appointment as co-CEO in 2021, Han has led the company's efforts to compete with Apple in the smartphone market while maintaining a strong presence in consumer electronics, reports Reuters, Bloomberg, and Yonhap News.
Han, a three-decade veteran at Samsung, played a crucial role in maintaining the company's dominance in the global consumer electronics market. Born in 1962, he joined Samsung Electronics in 1988 as part of the TV development team, where he advanced the company's display technology. Under his leadership, Samsung secured its position as the world's top TV brand for 19 consecutive years, surpassing major competitors such as Sony.
Promoted to vice chairman in 2021, Han oversaw the Device Experience (DX) division, which encompasses Samsung's TV, home appliances, and smartphone businesses. He was instrumental in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into Samsung's Galaxy product line, driving innovation across household appliances, including AI-powered refrigerators, washing machines, and vacuum cleaners.
His death comes at a challenging time for Samsung, as the company faces increasing competition from Chinese rivals across the smartphone, TV, and consumer electronics sectors. Recently, Samsung lost its position as the world's largest smartphone maker to Apple, intensifying the pressure on its leadership.
Jong-Hee Han's passing marks the end of an era for Samsung Electronics, as the company navigates a competitive global landscape while continuing to push advancements in consumer technology.
Article edited by Jack Wu
