Han Jong-hee started at Samsung as an employee in the research and development (R&D) department.
Han Jong-hee, one of the prominent senior leaders of Samsung Electronics, left a deep mark on the global technology industry as CEO and Vice Chairman of the group. His sudden passing on March 25, 2025 (Vietnam time) due to a heart attack, shocked the technology world. He passed away at the age of 63, leaving behind a rich legacy of innovation in the fields of consumer electronics and mobile devices.
Han Jong-hee was born in 1962 in South Korea, during a period when the country was struggling to rise from its post-war struggles to become an industrial powerhouse. Although information about his childhood and family is not widely available, he is known to have grown up in a progressive and academic environment. Han graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from a prestigious university in South Korea. This solid academic background laid the foundation for his future career in the technology industry.
Han joined Samsung Electronics in the 1980s, when the group was transforming from a local manufacturing company into a global player. He initially worked in the research and development (R&D) department, where he quickly demonstrated his talent for developing advanced display technologies. One of his most notable contributions early in his career was the development of LCD and later QLED display technology, which have helped Samsung lead the global TV and display market.
Throughout his career, Han Jong-hee has held many important roles at Samsung. He was the head of the display development division, where he led the engineering team to overcome competitors such as LG and Sony to make Samsung the dominant brand in the TV industry. This success not only solidified Samsung's position in the international market but also earned him a reputation as a visionary leader.
In 2022, Han Jong-hee was appointed Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics, marking a major turning point in his career. In this role, he was in charge of the Device eXperience (DX) division, which includes the mobile, home appliances, and display technology businesses. Together with his colleague Jun Young-hyun, who heads the semiconductor business, Han has helped Samsung maintain its position as one of the world's largest technology companies, despite challenges from fierce competition and global economic fluctuations.
Under Han's leadership, Samsung continues to push the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in its products. At CES 2025, he introduced the vision of "AI for All: Everyday, Everywhere", emphasizing Samsung's commitment to making AI technology more accessible and useful to global users. He believes that AI is not just a trend but also the future of connectivity between devices, from smartphones, TVs, to smart home appliances. Products such as the Galaxy S24 series with "Galaxy AI" feature are a testament to his pioneering work in this field.
Han is also the proponent of a “bold growth” strategy by 2024, aimed at helping Samsung overcome the economic crisis and competition from Chinese rivals in the smartphone and consumer electronics markets. He has emphasized the search for major mergers and acquisitions (M&A) opportunities, especially in the US, to boost the company’s growth. Despite facing pressure from shareholders over disappointing stock performance, Han has remained committed to technological innovation to bring value to customers.
Samsung CEO Han Jong-hee last appeared at Samsung’s shareholder meeting on March 19, where he acknowledged the challenges the company is facing amid global economic uncertainty and fierce competition in the technology industry.
“First of all, I sincerely apologize for the recent stock performance not meeting your expectations. Over the past year, our company has failed to respond to the rapidly evolving AI semiconductor market,” said Mr. Han.
In addition to his leadership skills, Mr. Han Jong-hee is known for his approachable and hands-on management style. He has shared that he is an active user of the SmartThings platform - Samsung's smart device connectivity ecosystem - and does not hesitate to provide feedback to improve the product. This shows that he is not only a manager but also someone who deeply understands the needs of customers.
The passing of Han Jong-hee is a great loss not only for Samsung but also for the global technology industry. He leaves behind a legacy of innovation, strategic vision and dedication to enhancing the user experience through technology. Although he is no longer here, his contributions will continue to shape the future of Samsung and impact millions of people around the world. Han Jong-hee is not just a CEO, but also a symbol of perseverance and innovation in the digital age.