A Stream of Visitors from the Business World on the 25th
Current and Former Samsung Executives Pay Respects
Political and Business Leaders Call Him "A Remarkable Person"
Tributes Paid on the Company's Internal Bulletin Board
Han Jong-hee, Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman, known as the "legend of the TV business," passed away suddenly, leaving Samsung Electronics employees and industry colleagues deeply saddened.
On the afternoon of the 25th, visitors continued to pay their respects at the funeral hall of Samsung Medical Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where Vice Chairman Han's memorial was set up. Having joined Samsung Electronics in 1988 and dedicated 37 years to the company, rising to the position of CEO, Samsung employees appeared to be greatly heartbroken.
Current Samsung Electronics executives, including Jeon Kyung-hoon, CTO of the DX Division; Song Jae-hyuk, CTO of the DS Division; Kim Yong-kwan, Head of Management Strategy of the DS Division; Han Jin-man, Head of the Foundry Business Division; Choi Won-jun, Head of Development of the MX Business Division; Kim Won-kyung, Head of Global Public Affairs, as well as presidents of Samsung affiliates such as Jang Deok-hyun, CEO of Samsung Electro-Mechanics; John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics; and Kim Yi-tae, CEO of Samsung Card and former Samsung Electronics executive, visited the memorial. Lee Chan-hee, Chairman of Samsung Electronics Compliance Committee, also expressed, "It is truly a sad event."
Former Samsung Electronics executives also paid their respects, including former Vice Chairman Shin Jong-kyun, former Vice Chairman and Head of Samsung Future Strategy Office Choi Ji-sung, former Head of Foundry Business Division Choi Si-young, former Head of Memory Business Division Lee Jung-bae, former Head of Global Marketing Office Lee Young-hee, former CE Division Head Kim Hyun-suk, former Head of Management Support Office Lee Sang-hoon, former Head of Management Support Office Noh Hee-chan, and former Head of Foundry Business Division Jung Eun-seung.
Kyung Kye-hyun, former Head of Samsung Electronics DS Division who led the company alongside Vice Chairman Han, could not hide his sorrow when asked by reporters, saying, "What can I say?" Former Samsung C&T President Choi Chi-hoon recalled the late executive, saying, "(Thanks to Vice Chairman Han) I was able to establish my roots at Samsung Electronics," and added, "He was the warmest person, someone I liked very much and respected."
Lee Jae-yong, Samsung Electronics Chairman, currently on a business trip in China, was unable to attend the memorial due to his schedule but reportedly expressed his condolences and comfort to the bereaved family from afar. Chairman Lee attended the high-level development forum (CDF) held in Beijing, China, for the first time in two years.
LG Electronics President Cho Joo-wan, who visited the memorial that day, told reporters, "He contributed to the electronics industry for a long time, and it feels like such a great person left us too soon," expressing his condolences. Political and business figures, including former Minister of Strategy and Finance Park Jae-wan and People Power Party lawmaker Ko Dong-jin, also saw the late executive off on his final journey.
Memorial banner for Han Jong-hee, Vice Chairman of the National Samsung Electronics Labor Union (Jeonsamno), captured from the Jeonsamno website
Samsung Electronics posted on its internal bulletin board that day, "We pray for the repose of the deceased who dedicated 37 years to the company," and commemorated him by saying, "He led the TV business to become number one globally and did his best as Head of the Set Division and DA Business Division amid challenging internal and external environments."
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