Samsung Electronics announces death of co-CEO

Samsung Electronics has released a statement confirming the passing of Han Jong-Hee of a cardiac arrest at the age of 63.

The executive joined the company in 1988, and became its co-CEO in 2022. Therefore, Han has seen Samsung rise to be one of the biggest names in TVs, smartphones, wearables and even silicon, yet has also experienced one of the starkest decelerations in its growth and estimated earnings while at the helm of the company.

Nevertheless, Han's legacy in the company's consumer electronics and mobile devices divisions will doubtless be considered pivotal. His career has also contributed to Samsung's current position of market leadership in areas such as foldable smartphones, OLED TVs and Windows on ARM laptops.

The executive has also helped steer the company back into potentially crucial future areas such as augmented and virtual reality, although he will now not see how the company's upcoming Meta Quest 3 rival will fare in the market.

Han's death leaves Jun Young-hyun, who was appointed as co-CEO in November 2024, solely in charge of the tech giant for now. Jun will now oversee Samsung's Electronics concerns and the challenges that face it, which include the fate of the Exynos mobile processor line and looming global trade uncertainties.