Samsung Electronics is mourning the unexpected death of its co-CEO Han Jong-hee, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 63 due to cardiac arrest. Han, a dedicated veteran of the company for nearly four decades, was a pivotal figure in leading Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile devices divisions. His tenure, marked by both innovation and challenges, leaves a significant leadership void at a critical juncture for the tech giant.
Han, who first joined Samsung nearly 40 years ago, rose through the ranks, primarily shaping the company's TV business before ascending to vice chairman and co-CEO in 2022. He was widely regarded as a stabilizing force within the company, particularly after Lee Jae-yong, the de facto head of the Samsung Group, faced legal battles and leadership disruptions. Han’s ability to balance technological vision with operational efficiency made him a respected figure, both within Samsung and across the global tech industry.
Under his leadership, Samsung maintained its position as a global powerhouse in consumer electronics, particularly in televisions — a segment where the company has led the market for more than 17 consecutive years. He also played a significant role in Samsung's smartphone division, helping it fend off aggressive competition from Chinese brands like Xiaomi and Huawei. However, despite these successes, Han’s final years as CEO were marred by mounting challenges.
Samsung has faced a prolonged slump in earnings and a sharp decline in share prices. The company lost its long-held crown as the world’s top smartphone seller to Apple, reflecting changing consumer preferences and supply chain disruptions. Meanwhile, in the fiercely competitive semiconductor industry — a sector Samsung once dominated — the company has struggled to keep up with rivals like SK Hynix and TSMC. This has been particularly evident in the race for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, crucial for powering AI advancements and GPUs made by Nvidia, which dominate the market.
Han’s death comes at a particularly sensitive time for Samsung. Just last week, he chaired the company’s annual shareholder meeting, where he faced tough questions from investors frustrated with the company’s sluggish performance. In a rare moment of candor, Han acknowledged Samsung’s shortcomings, particularly in the AI semiconductor market, and issued an apology. "First and foremost, I sincerely apologize for the recent stock performance not meeting your expectations. Over the past year, our company failed to adequately respond to the rapidly evolving AI semiconductor market," he told shareholders.
His words reflected the broader struggles within Samsung as it tries to reinvent itself in the AI age. While competitors like SK Hynix have surged ahead with cutting-edge HBM chips — the kind Nvidia relies on for its AI processors — Samsung has been slower to innovate in this crucial area, leading to investor concerns about its long-term competitiveness.
Han’s sudden passing also raises immediate questions about leadership succession. Samsung has not yet named a successor to oversee the consumer electronics and mobile divisions he led. The company’s other co-CEO, Jun Young-hyun, who manages Samsung’s semiconductor business, may now face greater responsibility in guiding the company through these turbulent times.
Samsung’s leadership turmoil is not new. Since Elon Musk took over Twitter (now X), Samsung has reportedly been watching closely, wary of similar instability. The loss of Han, who served as a bridge between the company’s engineering teams and top leadership, echoes the recent high-profile exits seen at X, including engineering head Haofei Wang and communications chief Dave Heinzinger.
Despite these challenges, Samsung remains a formidable player. The company is reportedly pushing forward with new initiatives, including AI-integrated home appliances, next-generation foldable smartphones, and advanced chip technologies aimed at reclaiming its competitive edge. Han had been scheduled to appear at a major launch event for new home appliances on Wednesday — a testament to his enduring dedication to driving innovation even in difficult times.
Han’s death marks not only the end of an era for Samsung but also a pivotal moment for its future. As the company navigates leadership uncertainty, intensifying global competition, and shifting market demands, its next moves will define whether it can regain its position as a leader in technology. The world will be watching to see who steps up to fill the void left by Han — and whether they can steer Samsung back to the forefront of the tech industry.
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