Salaryman Legend '37-Year Samsung Man' Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee Passes Away (Comprehensive)

Han Jonghee, Vice Chairman, Passes Away at 63
Renowned Expert in TV Development
Key Figure Behind Samsung TV's 19 Consecutive Years as World No. 1
From New Employee to Vice Chairman: The "Salaryman Legend"
Promoted to Vice Chairman in 2021, Demonstrated Outstanding Management Leadership

Han Jong-hee, Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics and a "Samsung man" for 37 years, passed away on the 25th at the age of 63.

According to business circles, Vice Chairman Han is reported to have died suddenly from cardiac arrest while resting.

Jong-hee Han, Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics, Yonhap News Agency

Born in 1962, Vice Chairman Han was a recognized expert in TV development. He was also a key figure behind Samsung Electronics' 19 consecutive years as the world's number one in the TV business. He was famous as a "salaryman legend," rising from a new employee to Vice Chairman and CEO.

After graduating from Cheonan High School and Inha University with a degree in Electronic Engineering, he joined Samsung Electronics' Visual Display Business Division development team in 1988. Over more than 30 years, he worked in TV development departments, holding positions such as LCD TV Lab Head, Development Group Leader, Product Development Team Leader, and Development Director. He participated in or led the development of virtually all Samsung TV products, from CRT TVs to PDP TVs, LCD TVs, 3D TVs, and QLED TVs.

In the personnel reshuffle at the end of 2017, he was appointed head of the Visual Display Business Division (President). In late 2021, he was promoted to Vice Chairman and took charge of the Device eXperience (DX) division, overseeing not only TVs but also home appliances and smartphones, leading technological innovation and driving the development of the domestic and international electronics industry. In March 2022, he was appointed CEO of Samsung Electronics, where he was praised for demonstrating outstanding management skills and leadership in overcoming company-wide crises. At the end of last year, he also took charge of the newly established Quality Innovation Committee, contributing to enhancing company-wide quality capabilities.

Since 2022, he has served as Chairman of the Korea Electronics Association (KEA), supporting business restructuring in the electronics industry aligned with the digital transformation era and proposing future strategic policies. In recognition of these contributions, he received the 27th Korea Academy of Engineering Grand Prize in 2023. Recently, he was reappointed as KEA Chairman.

At the Samsung Electronics shareholders' meeting on the 19th, Vice Chairman Han stated, "The management and employees all understand that the most certain key to stock price recovery is meeting market expectations through performance and regaining technological competitiveness." He pledged, "This year, we will do our best to secure fundamental technological competitiveness and achieve solid performance to restore the stock price."

After focusing on preparations for the shareholders' meeting, Vice Chairman Han immediately departed for a business trip to China following the meeting, attending 'AWE 2025,' China's largest home appliance exhibition, and holding meetings with business partners, managing a tight schedule.

Also serving as head of the Digital Appliances (DA) Business Division, Vice Chairman Han was originally scheduled to deliver the keynote speech at the new product launch event "Welcome to Bespoke AI" on the 26th, introducing Samsung Electronics' AI home vision and Bespoke AI new products.

Samsung Electronics posted on its internal bulletin board, "We mourn the passing of the late who dedicated 37 years to the company," adding, "He led the TV business to global number one and did his best as head of the Set Division and DA Business Division despite difficult internal and external environments." He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and one son. The funeral is being held at Samsung Medical Center Funeral Hall, Room 17. The funeral procession will take place on the 27th, and the burial site is Sian Family Memorial Park.