Samsung's Han Jong-Hee dies after heart attack at 63

In South Korea on March 25, 2025, Han Jong-Hee, a prominent figure in the electronics industry and co-CEO of Samsung Electronics, passed away due to a heart attack while under medical care. He was 63 years old at the time of his death, which took place in the Samsung Medical Center located in southern Seoul. As a senior executive, Han was influential in elevating Samsung's television business, establishing the company as a global leader in consumer electronics. His passing has raised concerns about the direction of Samsung, particularly as the company faces intense competition in the semiconductor and smartphone markets. Joining Samsung in 1988, Han dedicated over three decades of his career to various divisions, particularly the visual display and consumer electronics sectors. Under his leadership, Samsung grew from being perceived as a low-end manufacturer to the largest television producer worldwide. He rose through the ranks to become co-CEO in 2022, where he shared executive responsibilities with his counterpart Kyung Kye-Hyun. Han's impact on the company's growth was profound, significantly shaping its strategy and development during critical market challenges. In recent months, Samsung Electronics has been undergoing difficulties, including struggles with stock performance and competition in the AI semiconductor market, where it lagged behind key rivals such as SK Hynix and TSMC. At a shareholder meeting leading up to his death, Han acknowledged that the company failed to adequately respond to rapidly changing market demands, particularly in advanced AI technology, and apologized to investors for disappointing returns. Following his death, there is uncertainty regarding his successor and how the company's strategy might shift in response to his absence. The broader implications of Han's death may affect not only Samsung's operational strategy in the television and mobile device arenas but also its approach to handling the ongoing challenges posed by evolving trade policies and competitive forces in the technology landscape. As the company considers its next steps, Han’s contributions in transforming Samsung into a tech powerhouse will be remembered. He left behind a legacy that significantly influenced the South Korean economy and the global electronics sector.