Samsung Co-CEO Han Jong-hee Dies of Heart Attack; Jun Young-hyun Takes Sole Leadership

Samsung Electronics confirmed the sudden passing of co-CEO Han Jong-hee due to a heart attack, leaving newly appointed executive Jun Young-hyun as the company’s sole chief executive.

Han, 63, led Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile divisions and had been co-CEO since 2022. He passed away in the hospital on Tuesday after suffering cardiac arrest.

Just last week, Jun was promoted as co-CEO during the shareholders’ meeting and placed in charge of the company’s struggling semiconductor unit. Following Han’s death, Samsung announced in a stock exchange filing that Jun would now serve as the company’s sole CEO.

Han’s unexpected death comes at a critical time for the South Korean tech giant, which has been facing sluggish earnings, a declining share price, and intensified competition in the AI and semiconductor markets. Samsung currently trails behind rivals such as SK Hynix and TSMC in high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips—crucial for AI applications.

An industry analyst noted Han’s pivotal role in Samsung’s global TV success and warned his absence might impact strategic areas like marketing and home appliances.

At the shareholder meeting last week, Han had acknowledged the company’s underperformance and vowed to adapt flexibly to global market challenges, including U.S. tariffs and trade tensions.

Samsung has not named a direct successor for Han’s previous roles, while Chairman Jay Y. Lee is currently in China exploring new business opportunities, including automotive electronics, with visits to Xiaomi and BYD.