March 25, 2025: Samsung Electronics Co-CEO Han Jong-hee has passed away at the age of 63 due to cardiac arrest, the South Korean tech giant confirmed on Tuesday.

According to a company spokesperson, Han was undergoing treatment at a hospital when he suffered a fatal cardiac arrest. Samsung has yet to announce a successor for the seasoned executive.

Han, a veteran of over three decades at Samsung, played a pivotal role in the company's rise as a global leader in consumer electronics. He was instrumental in making Samsung the industry frontrunner in television manufacturing, surpassing competitors like Japan's Sony Group Corp. His leadership extended to Samsung’s home appliances and smartphone divisions, where he helped the brand compete fiercely with Apple Inc.

Having started his career in Samsung’s display division, Han was appointed as co-CEO three years ago, overseeing the consumer electronics and mobile business, while his counterpart, Jun Young-hyun, managed the company’s semiconductor division.

Recently, Han led Samsung's push into artificial intelligence, integrating AI-driven features into the company’s Galaxy devices and home appliances, including refrigerators, washing machines, and vacuum cleaners.

Despite the news of his passing, Samsung Electronics' shares remained steady in morning trading.

Han Jong-hee’s contributions to Samsung Electronics and the tech industry leave behind a lasting legacy, and his absence will be deeply felt within the company and beyond.