Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee Appointed as Chairman
Strengthening Customer-Centric Management
Samsung Electronics has declared a commitment to strengthening quality in the DX division (home appliances and smartphones), which has significant consumer contact. Through this recent executive reshuffle, the company decided to establish a Quality Innovation Committee and appointed Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee as its head. This move is interpreted as an effort to achieve fundamental innovation in the quality sector under Vice Chairman Han’s leadership. It appears to reflect Samsung Electronics’ intention to enhance its corporate brand image and strengthen consumer trust.
A Samsung Electronics official explained on the 27th regarding the establishment of the Quality Innovation Committee, "Quality is an area that must be continuously innovated and improved, and the purpose is to have it directly overseen at the vice chairman level of the CEO." The official added, "Once the executive appointments below the vice chairman and organizational restructuring are completed, the committee’s roles and goals will become clearer."
Han Jong-hee, Vice Chairman and Head of Samsung Electronics DX Division. Provided by Samsung Electronics
The establishment of the Quality Innovation Committee is interpreted as part of a long-term strategy by Samsung Electronics to create future value beyond merely strengthening quality control. The DX division is a core business unit producing and selling consumer-close products such as smartphones, TVs, refrigerators, and washing machines. Because it is directly connected to consumers, every quality issue immediately impacts brand image and corporate credibility.
Vice Chairman Han is regarded within Samsung Electronics as a figure embodying the ‘No.1 DNA’ in management innovation and quality control. He joined Samsung Electronics in 1988 and has worked for over 30 years in the TV division, recognized as the top TV expert in Korea. Since 2017, he has served as the head of the Visual Display Business, contributing to achieving the world’s No.1 position in the TV market. Based on his expertise in TV development, Vice Chairman Han is expected to focus on comprehensively improving the quality of various product lines, including home appliances and smartphones.
The Quality Innovation Committee led by Vice Chairman Han is expected to strengthen consumer contact, proactively resolve dissatisfaction factors, and establish a systematic quality management system. Furthermore, it is anticipated to focus on narrowing the quality gap with competitors and setting leading quality standards. In his New Year’s address last year, Vice Chairman Han emphasized the importance of quality, stating, "In difficult times, we must discover technologies that do not exist in the world and technologies that can change the world, and strengthen quality, an absolute value that cannot be compromised, to win customers’ hearts."
With Vice Chairman Han directly overseeing quality management, expectations are rising that top management’s attention and leadership will translate into consumer-centric management. This demonstrates Samsung Electronics’ mid- to long-term vision to elevate brand value by making quality not just a product-level concern but a core part of corporate strategy.
An industry insider expressed, "Vice Chairman Han’s leadership, combining quality management experience and consumer-centric strategy, will play a crucial role in leading systematic quality innovation in the DX division," adding, "It is expected to strengthen global competitiveness and further solidify consumer trust."
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