Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee (CEO) was confirmed to have died of a heart attack on the 25th. Han was transported to Samsung Hospital in Seoul on the 22nd due to a heart attack but ultimately passed away.
Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee was a pivotal figure at Samsung Electronics, leading the DX institutional sector, which includes the home appliances (DA) division. Born in 1962, Han graduated from Inha University with a degree in electronic engineering, joining Samsung Electronics' video business development team in 1988. Han was recognized as an expert in the TV field, having worked at Samsung for 37 years.
Since Nov. 2017, Han served as the head of the visual display division, contributing to Samsung Electronics' TV business achieving the world’s top spot for 15 consecutive years. Recognized for these accomplishments, Han was promoted to CEO vice chairman of Samsung Electronics in 2021, overseeing the integrated set institutional sector of IM (IT/mobile) and CE (consumer electronics).
Han expressed enthusiasm at the 56th regular shareholders' meeting on the 19th, stating, “We will lay the foundation for a new leap by maintaining a technology leadership gap in existing businesses, and we will secure new growth engines in the AI industry by continuing to challenge ourselves in various fields such as robotics, medtech, and next-generation semiconductors.”
Han was scheduled to deliver the keynote speech at the ‘Welcome to Bespoke AI,’ Samsung’s largest home appliance event of the year, on the 26th. However, on the 24th, Samsung Electronics announced that due to Han’s sudden heart attack, the keynote speaker would be replaced by the DA division management.
Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics announced Han’s passing through an internal notice, expressing condolences: “We pray for the deceased who dedicated 37 years to the company.” Samsung Electronics noted, “The deceased led the global No. 1 position in the TV business and did their best as head of the set division and DA division in difficult internal and external environments.” The funeral will be held at Samsung Seoul Hospital’s funeral hall, with the send-off on the 27th.