President and Executive Team Personnel on the 27th of 2025
Two Co-CEOs: Han Jong-hee and Jeon Young-hyun
Han Jin-man appointed Head of Foundry Division and Americas
Vice Chairman Jung Hyun-ho to continue leading Business Support TF
Samsung Electronics has placed its Memory Business Division directly under Vice Chairman Jeon Young-hyun of the Semiconductor (DS) Division and promoted Han Jin-man, Vice President of the DS Division's Americas headquarters, to head the Foundry Business Division. This move is seen as a bold strategy to strengthen semiconductor competitiveness by replacing the heads of both the memory and foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturing) business divisions. Samsung Electronics also appointed Vice Chairman Jeon as CEO, transitioning from the previous single CEO system under Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee to a 'dual CEO system.' Jeong Hyun-ho, head of the Business Support Task Force (TF), who was rumored to be replaced, has been retained.
On the 27th, Samsung Electronics announced the 2025 regular executive appointments reflecting these changes. Following last year, this year's executive appointments were made about a week earlier than usual. The adjustment from the typical early December schedule is interpreted as a measure to overcome crises and prepare for the future.
Younghyun Jeon, Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics (Head of DS Division). Samsung Electronics
In this personnel reshuffle, Samsung Electronics emphasized the fundamental restoration of semiconductor competitiveness. To this end, after appointing Vice Chairman Jeon Young-hyun, who was assigned to the DS Division in May, as CEO, the company established a business responsibility system by division. Notably, Vice Chairman Jeon directly oversees the core Memory Business Division as CEO. He will also lead the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), concentrating the company's full capabilities on restoring memory competitiveness.
The DS Division saw significant changes in the executive appointments. Vice President Han Jin-man was promoted to President and assigned to the Foundry Business Division, which had been recording losses worth trillions of won. The Foundry Business Division introduced a new president-level Chief Technology Officer (CTO) position, appointing Nam Seok-woo, President of Global Manufacturing & Infrastructure and Manufacturing & Technology at the DS Division. Additionally, a president-level position for business strategy was newly established in the DS Division, with Vice President Kim Yong-kwan of the Business Support TF promoted to President and assigned to this role.
Han Jong-hee, Vice Chairman and head of the Device Experience (DX) Division, was retained and continues to concurrently serve as head of the Digital Appliances (DA) Business Division. Vice Chairman Han will also chair the newly established 'Quality Innovation Committee,' leading company-wide efforts to strengthen quality capabilities.
Hanjin appointed as the new President and Head of Foundry Division at Samsung Electronics. Samsung Electronics
Regarding this personnel reshuffle, Samsung Electronics stated, "To strengthen semiconductor technology competitiveness, we have created a president-level CTO position in the Foundry Business Division and a president-level business strategy position in the DS Division. We plan to entrust senior presidents with proven global leadership and excellent management capabilities with challenges such as brand and consumer experience innovation, focusing on enhancing the company's mid- to long-term value."
The Business Support TF, which has faced criticism for hindering Samsung's innovation, will maintain its current structure centered on Vice Chairman Jeong.
Following the executive appointments, Samsung Electronics is expected to soon conduct personnel changes and organizational restructuring. Given the challenging internal and external management environment, the scale of executive promotions this year is anticipated to be smaller than usual. However, the policy of actively appointing women, foreigners, and technical talents is expected to continue. After completing the personnel and organizational restructuring, a global strategy meeting will be held in mid-December to discuss next year's business plans.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
