It was on March 25, 2025, that Samsung Electronics announced the passing of its co-CEO, Han Jong-Hee, who died of a heart attack at 63 years of age. His death marks the end of a storied career spanning over three decades at the South Korean technology conglomerate, where he played a key role in transforming Samsung into a global consumer electronics giant, particularly in the television and mobile phone sectors. Han’s leadership and vision leave a lasting imprint as Samsung experiences a trying period in its history.
A Veteran Leader’s Journey at Samsung
Han Jong-Hee joined Samsung Electronics in 1988 and began as a member of the company’s Video Division. Over the years, he made his way through the corporate ladder, demonstrating an agile mind to innovate and grow in a changing technology landscape. His early work was in display technologies, with roles like head of the LCD TV Lab serving as the building blocks for Samsung’s leadership in the TV market. Han had already had a career spanning decades of propelling the company’s consumer electronics course before being appointed co-CEO and vice chairman in 2022.
Han’s role as the leader of Samsung’s Device eXperience (DX) business, responsible for the company’s smartphones, consumer electronics, and home appliances, solidified his reputation as an innovative leader. Under his leadership, Samsung remained the world’s largest TV manufacturer and continued to drive mobile innovation despite stiff competition from rivals like Apple and China’s emerging brand names.
Taking Samsung’s TV Business to Greater Heights
One of Han Jong-Hee’s most significant accomplishments was his central role in leading Samsung’s TV business to global leadership. According to Fortune Asia, Han, who began working in the displays business more than 30 years ago, played a key role in pushing aside Japanese rivals such as Sony to establish Samsung as a premium TV leader. His leadership led the company to lead innovation in LCD and QLED technologies that made Samsung TVs a household name worldwide.
Samsung credited Han with transforming the company into a global leader in the TV business, an indication of their sentiment in their statement when he passed away:
“Han made great contributions to the company’s development as an executive in the midst of an adverse business situation.”
Visionary leadership by Han saw Samsung not only play catch-up on technological innovations but also set industry benchmarks, particularly in the development of smart TVs and ultra-high-definition displays.
Crossing Challenges and Pushing Growth
Han’s elevation to joint-CEO in 2022 came at a time of crucial significance for Samsung. The company was facing mounting pressure from the likes of SK Hynix in the chip market and was struggling to catch the artificial intelligence (AI) wave which had taken other tech giants by storm. Just days before his death, Han oversaw Samsung’s annual shareholders meeting on March 19, 2025, where he apologized for Samsung’s weak stock performance and failure to fully take advantage of AI potential. “First and foremost, I apologize sincerely for the recent poor stock performance not meeting your expectations,” he stated, as reported by Newsweek.
Despite such challenges, Han was committed to driving Samsung forward. In September 2024, he launched “bold growth” as a new strategic direction with four key areas of focus—medtech, robotics, automotive electronics, and green-friendly solutions—reporting The Korea Herald. The vision was aimed at diversifying Samsung’s offerings and positioning it for success in the future in the midst of a multi-pronged crisis. His priority on creating next-generation growth businesses indicated his vision-forward approach even while acknowledging that challenges were ahead, including potential tariffs under U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, which he addressed at the shareholders meeting (ABC News).
Leadership In A Time Of Transition
Han Jong-Hee was co-CEO in a two-leadership structure alongside Jun Young-Hyun, who led the semiconductor business. The arrangement reflected Samsung’s twin strengths in consumer goods and components, with Han spearheading the former. In his death, Jun Young-Hyun is now sole CEO, taking up Han’s mantle as Samsung faces a leadership void amidst record technological competition (TIME).
Han’s influence extended beyond product development. In 2024, he was reappointed as chairman of the Korea Electronics Association (KEA) and advocated for further expansion in South Korea’s electronics and IT industries in the midst of global trade pressures (The Korea Times). His leadership in this capacity cemented his capacity to have a greater impact than at Samsung alone, establishing him as a key player in the greater tech universe.
A Lasting Legacy
The untimely death of Han Jong-Hee has left the technology world reeling, Samsung having to bemoan the loss of a visionary. His passing comes at a time when the company was grappling with share value losses and a perceived stagnation in the AI chip industry, challenges that Han was desperately trying to beat. According to Reuters of March 19, 2025, Samsung had been on the hunt for huge deals to spur growth, something Han was promoting in his final days.
Han’s commitment and influence have been appreciated by his peers and industry analysts alike. “Han was one of the top leaders during a pivotal era of technological rivalry, leaving an indelible mark on the company’s global strategy,” said Benzinga. His three-decade stint at Samsung was defined by perseverance, innovation, and an uncompromising quest for excellence—values that will further define the direction of the company.
As Samsung moves forward with Jun Young-Hyun at the helm, Han Jong-Hee’s legacy as a consumer electronics visionary and steadfast executive will not be forgotten. His work not only brought Samsung to the top of the global market but also set the stage for future growth and innovation.
