Samsung co-CEO Han Jong-hee has died, with newly-appointed fellow CEO Jun Young-hyun set to lead the company.
Han, 63, died from cardiac arrest on Tuesday. He joined the company in 1988 and was appointed as a CEO in 2022, and also led Samsung’s Device Experience arm.
“Our deepest condolences are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time,” Samsung said in an internal message.
Han “was central in the unveiling of Samsung’s world-class LED TVs,” the company has said, and played a major role in developing Samsung’s video processing technologies.
Jun will act as sole CEO following Han’s death, Samsung said in a stock exchange notice. The company has not yet chosen a successor for Han’s roles.
Jun was added as a co-CEO last week. He has led its Device Solutions division, which includes its foundry and semiconductor production, since 2024.
Previously, Jun headed up the company’s Memory division, managing semiconductor development.
“Given his technological expertise and industry insight, we believe that he is the most qualified individual to secure competitive technologies and products in the global semiconductor market,” Samsung's board of directors said when nominating Jun as an executive director this month.
Samsung’s chips arms have struggled recently, lagging Hynix and TSMC in contracts, and are likely to be adversely affected by incoming United States tariffs. “First and foremost, I sincerely apologise 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,” said Han at last week’s shareholders’ meeting.
Samsung’s (KSE: 005930) share price closed at KR₩59,800, down from its previous close at ₩60,500. Its market capitalisation is ₩398.7 trillion.
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