Samsung Electronics’ co-CEO, Han Jong-hee, passed away on March 25, 2025, due to cardiac arrest at the age of 63. Han was instrumental in elevating Samsung’s television business to a global leadership position and oversaw the company’s consumer electronics and mobile devices divisions.
Han’s death leaves a significant void in Samsung’s leadership, particularly in the consumer electronics and mobile sectors. Although Jun Young-hyun, the other co-CEO, who leads the semiconductor division, has been appointed to take Han’s place and will take over some of Han’s responsibilities, Samsung may still seek to fill Han’s role to maintain its traditional dual-leadership structure. The company’s daily operations and customer experiences are expected to remain largely unaffected in the short term.
Han played a crucial role in Samsung’s display operations and was central to the success of its TVs, by all accounts. His absence could impact the company’s marketing strategies and the performance of its home appliances division. However, Samsung’s strong foundation in the TV business, which Han helped establish, is likely to endure.
