Han Jong-Hee, the co-chief executive of Samsung Electronics and a nearly four-decade veteran of the South Korean consumer technology giant, died on Tuesday at the age of 63. According to a company spokeswoman, Mr. Han suffered a sudden heart attack. He is survived by his wife and three children. A funeral will be held at the funeral hall of Samsung Seoul Hospital on Thursday.

Mr. Han had been sharing chief executive duties with Jun Young-Hyun, the head of Samsung’s semiconductor business, since 2022. Following Mr. Han’s death, Mr. Jun was named the sole chief executive of Samsung Electronics on Tuesday, as announced in a public notice by the company.

Mr. Han had run Samsung’s consumer electronics business since 2021 and, a year later, added the digital appliance operation to his responsibilities. He also served as a member of the board. Previously, he oversaw the group that manufactures the visual displays for Samsung’s wide variety of electronic devices. Under his leadership, Samsung maintained its position as the world’s leading TV manufacturer for 19 consecutive years, integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence into its products.

Mr. Han graduated from Inha University in Incheon, South Korea, with a degree in electrical engineering. He joined Samsung in 1988, shortly after the death of its founder, Lee Byung-chull, during a pivotal period in the company’s history. Over the years, he played a significant role in elevating Samsung’s television business, contributing to its global dominance in the sector.

Samsung Electronics, headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, is the world’s largest maker of memory chips and smartphones. The company has been facing challenges in recent years, including a nearly 20% drop in share value in 2024, despite a global surge in AI hardware demand benefiting competitors. Co-CEO Han Jong-hee admitted to weakened technological competitiveness and pledged to pursue decisive deals in 2025 to boost growth. The company aims to address market pressures, including potential U.S. tariffs on foreign semiconductors, and plans to invest in future technologies, even at the cost of short-term profits. This includes increased investments in robotics, medical technology, and AI semiconductors to drive growth. The foundry business, struggling with technology gaps, aims to improve yield rates while facing potential threats from enhanced U.S. competition by TSMC and Intel. Samsung’s leadership, under Chairman Lee Jae-yong, is currently in China, aiming to expand the company’s presence in the automotive electronics market.([ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/a99b4330-f979-400a-a9c2-3134c05f0a88?utm_source=openai))

Mr. Han’s passing marks a significant moment in Samsung’s history, as the company navigates through a period of leadership transition and strategic realignment. The industry will be closely watching how Samsung adapts to these changes and continues to innovate in the highly competitive global technology market.

1. What was the cause of Han Jong-Hee’s death?

Han Jong-Hee, the co-CEO of Samsung Electronics, passed away due to a sudden heart attack on March 25, 2025, at the age of 63. He was being treated for cardiac arrest at a hospital in Seoul when he died. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/samsung-electronics-says-co-ceo-han-jong-hee-has-died-cardiac-arrest-2025-03-25/?utm_source=openai))

2. Who is Jun Young-Hyun, the new sole CEO of Samsung Electronics?

Jun Young-Hyun is the Vice Chairman and Head of the Device Solutions (DS) Division at Samsung Electronics. He joined Samsung in 2000 and has held various leadership roles, including Head of the Memory Business and CEO of Samsung SDI. In May 2024, he was appointed as the Head of the DS Division to strengthen Samsung’s semiconductor business.([news.samsung.com](https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-electronics-names-young-hyun-jun-as-new-head-of-device-solutions-division?utm_source=openai))

3. What were Han Jong-Hee’s contributions to Samsung Electronics?

Han Jong-Hee joined Samsung in 1988 and played a pivotal role in elevating the company’s television business, making it the world’s leading TV manufacturer. He served as co-CEO and Head of the device eXperience (DX) Division, overseeing consumer electronics and mobile devices. Under his leadership, Samsung maintained its position as the world’s leading TV manufacturer for 19 consecutive years, integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence into its products. ([samsung.com](https://www.samsung.com/global/ir/governance-csr/board-of-directors/?utm_source=openai))

4. How will Samsung Electronics navigate the leadership transition?

Following Han Jong-hee’s passing, jun Young-Hyun has been named the sole CEO of Samsung Electronics. The company is expected to continue its strategic initiatives, focusing on strengthening its semiconductor business and addressing challenges in the global market.([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/samsung-electronics-says-co-ceo-han-jong-hee-has-died-cardiac-arrest-2025-03-25/?utm_source=openai))

5. What is Samsung Electronics’ current market position?

Samsung Electronics is the world’s largest maker of memory chips and smartphones. The company has been facing challenges in recent years,including a nearly 20% drop in share value in 2024,despite a global surge in AI hardware demand benefiting competitors. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/samsung-electronics-says-co-ceo-han-jong-hee-has-died-cardiac-arrest-2025-03-25/?utm_source=openai))