The global tech community is mourning the sudden loss of Han Jong-hee, the co-CEO and Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics, who passed away due to a heart attack on March 25, 2025, at the age of 63. Known for his deep technical expertise and nearly four-decade-long tenure at Samsung, Han was a central figure in driving innovation within the company’s consumer electronics and mobile device divisions.
As of November 30, 2024, Han Jong-hee’s estimated net worth was approximately $971,291, according to Analytics Insight. While modest compared to high-profile tech moguls, Han’s wealth reflected his role within a South Korean chaebol (conglomerate) where corporate ownership is often centralized within founding families, rather than top executives.
Early Life and Rise Through Samsung
Born in 1962 in South Korea, Han Jong-hee earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Inha University. That academic foundation became the springboard for his long career at Samsung, which he joined in 1988. Han began in the company’s TV development team, a division that would later become central to Samsung’s dominance in the global consumer electronics market.
Over the next few decades, Han worked his way up through the company’s ranks, taking on increasingly strategic roles. By 2017, he was leading Samsung’s Visual Display business, a pivotal arm that propelled Samsung’s global leadership in television technology. In 2022, he was appointed Vice Chairman and co-CEO, a testament to his technical and operational excellence.
Responsibilities and Achievements
During his tenure as co-CEO, Han oversaw the Device Experience (DX) division, which includes Samsung’s mobile devices, televisions, and home appliances. His leadership coincided with an era of heightened competition, rapid technological change, and shifting consumer preferences.
Han was also the head of the Quality Innovation Committee and spearheaded efforts to modernize the Home Appliances Business, which had been under pressure to innovate amidst rising global competition. His strategies aimed to integrate AI and smart home technologies more deeply into Samsung’s product ecosystem.
He was scheduled to attend a major product launch for Samsung’s new line of home appliances just a day after his passing, highlighting his continued hands-on involvement in the company’s development and marketing efforts until his final moments.
Samsung’s Structure and His Role
Samsung traditionally operates under a dual-CEO structure. While Han Jong-hee led the consumer electronics and mobile segments, Jun Young-hyun, the other co-CEO, currently oversees the semiconductor and chip business. The two executives worked in tandem to steer the company through an increasingly complex global tech landscape.
Han’s leadership style was often described as meticulous, forward-looking, and rooted in deep product knowledge—attributes that earned him respect among both engineers and shareholders.
Navigating 2025’s Industry Challenges
In one of his final public appearances, Han addressed Samsung’s shareholders during a meeting in March 2025, candidly outlining the challenges the company faced amid newly imposed 25% tariffs by the U.S. government on electronics and semiconductor imports. These tariffs, signed into law by President Donald Trump, posed a significant threat to Samsung’s U.S. market operations, particularly in appliances and memory chips.
“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,” Han said during the meeting.
The admission was rare for a top executive at Samsung and reflected his sense of accountability. Shareholders voiced concern over the company’s slow response to the global AI semiconductor boom, which allowed competitors to pull ahead in profitability and market share.
Despite these difficulties, Han expressed confidence in Samsung’s ability to recover by tapping into its diverse manufacturing hubs and global supply chain flexibility—initiatives he had helped establish during his time as CEO.
Legacy in Technology and Leadership
Although Han Jong-hee’s personal net worth of $971,291 may not compare to Silicon Valley’s billionaires, his contributions to the tech world were invaluable. Unlike founders or equity-rich executives, Korean business leaders often operate under different compensation and equity structures, focusing more on long-term company impact than personal wealth accumulation.
Han leaves behind his wife and three children, along with a legacy of disciplined leadership, product excellence, and a relentless commitment to innovation. His death is expected to create a temporary leadership vacuum, particularly in Samsung’s marketing and home appliance divisions—areas where he was personally involved in reshaping strategy.
Succession and the Road Ahead
As of now, Samsung has not announced Han Jong-hee’s successor, which has sparked speculation regarding the company’s internal succession planning. Given his high-level involvement in product planning and brand positioning, analysts believe Samsung will need to act swiftly to ensure continued momentum in its consumer electronics segment.
Internally, Han was considered not only a strategic mind but a mentor to many within the organization. His absence will likely be felt across multiple departments, from engineering teams to global marketing units.
Final Thoughts
Han Jong-hee’s passing marks the end of an era at Samsung Electronics. With nearly 40 years of dedicated service, he was more than just an executive—he was a builder of vision, a bridge between hardware and user experience, and a steward of one of the world’s most recognized tech brands.
In a year already filled with challenges—from trade barriers to industry disruption—Samsung now faces the additional hurdle of continuing forward without one of its most experienced and respected leaders. Yet, as Han himself would have believed, resilience and innovation will continue to define the company’s future.
