Han, who joined Samsung in 1988, established a successful career in the television sector. The company attributed his significant role in elevating Samsung TV to “the pinnacle of the global market.”
In 2022, Han took on the role of CEO and also oversaw the consumer electronics and mobile devices division.
Despite the Samsung family’s continued dominance, with Lee Jae-yong serving as the third-generation leader and current head of Samsung Electronics, the firm is steering in a new direction post-Han’s death.
The South Korean tech powerhouse announced through a stock exchange filing that Jun Young-hyun will now function as the sole CEO. Initially, Jun had been appointed as co-CEO just last week, marking a shift in Samsung’s traditional dual CEO structure.
Samsung prepares for a challenging year
Amidst Han’s death, Samsung is facing a sluggish performance in its memory chip-making business, trailing behind competitors such as SK Hynix and TSMC in the global artificial intelligence chip market.
In October, Samsung expressed concerns about its “fundamental technological competitiveness and the future of the company”.
During a recent shareholder meeting, Han and other top executives informed investors that they anticipate 2025 to be a challenging year.
Edited by: Wesley Rahn
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/samsung-co-ceo-han-jong-hee-dies-at-63/a-72025371?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
