The influence of the recently deceased Samsung CEO.

During his 37 years of dedication, CEO Han Jong-hee not only maintained Samsung's leading position in several areas but also represented perseverance and innovation.

Han Jong-hee frequently appears at major technology events like CES to talk about Samsung's products and strategies. Photo: Bloomberg .

On March 25th, Han Jong-hee, Vice President and CEO of Samsung Electronics' DX (Device Experience) division, passed away suddenly at the age of 63. Within the company, he was known by the nickname "Rhino" for his unwavering perseverance and relentless efforts to overcome all challenges.

Throughout his 37-year tenure, Mr. Han was a key figure in helping Samsung maintain its position as the number one TV brand globally for 19 consecutive years. Furthermore, he played a crucial role in steering the company through difficult times and reshaping Samsung's image worldwide.

A leader in many fields.

Born on March 15, 1962, in South Korea, Han Jung-hee studied Electronic Engineering at Inha University and joined Samsung Electronics' Visual Display (VS) business unit in 1988 upon graduation.

Experience in leadership positions held by Han Jong-hee. Photo: Samsung.

In 2013, he became the Head of Research and Development (R&D) for the VS division. During his tenure, he oversaw significant advancements in display technology, driving innovations and enhancing the company's product portfolio.

In 2017, he was promoted to Head of Visual Display, where he implemented marketing strategies such as “QLED TV” targeting the high-end TV market, helping Samsung maintain its number one position in the global market for 17 consecutive years.

In 2021, Mr. Han took on the role of Director of Device Experience (DX) at Samsung, a merged division of Consumer Electronics (CE) and Mobile Devices (IM). Previously, each division had its own director. This was also a time when both sectors were severely impacted by the global economic downturn and competition from Chinese companies.

This milestone marks Han's expanding influence from TV to many other fields. He, along with CEO Kyung Kye-hyun of Device Solutions (DS), formed a "two-pillar" leadership structure, co-CEOs of Samsung.

Vice Chairman and Co-CEO Han Jong-hee shared this at Samsung's Shareholders' Meeting on March 19. Photo: Reuters .

During that time, he focused on promoting the "Samsung Connectivity" strategy, aiming to create an ecosystem connecting AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and 5G with TVs, phones, and home appliances. Under his leadership, Samsung accelerated AI, IoT, and big data technologies, instead of focusing solely on hardware.

Mr. Han was appointed Vice President and Co-CEO of Samsung Electronics in 2022. In October of that same year, he also assumed the position of Head of the Digital Appliances division.

At this time, he made a global impact with his speech at CES in the US, positioning Samsung not only as a manufacturer of devices but also a leader in sustainable technology and smart connected experiences. Since then, he has been recognized as a strong leader with a clear strategy and has become a keynote speaker at CES annually.

Domestically, Han Jong-hee was reappointed as Chairman of the Korea Electronics & Information Industry Development Association (KEA) in 2024. He also visited Vietnam in 2022 to discuss expanding Samsung's investment in Vietnam.

Unfinished projects

Just a week before his death, Mr. Han was still actively working, checking on business operations overseas.

On March 19th, at Samsung's Annual General Meeting, he emphasized the importance of maintaining its leading position in technology, while committing to investing in new areas such as robotics, medtech (medical technology), and next-generation semiconductors to seek growth drivers in the AI ​​era.

Recently, Mr. Han has been directly in charge of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), one of Samsung's most important tasks. At the meeting, he stated that results had not yet been achieved with large-scale transactions and pledged to deliver more tangible results.

After the conference, he went on to attend the AWE 2025 home appliance exhibition in China to grasp market trends.

According to internal sources, there is currently no one in the company with the expertise and management skills to immediately replace Mr. Han. The loss of one of the most important pillars has made the situation very difficult.

Han Jong-hee (left) and Kyung Kye-hyun formed the company's "two-pillar" leadership structure. Photo: Samsung.

A representative from Samsung Electronics stated, “Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee is a symbol of Samsung Electronics’ technological leadership and an influential leader in the global home appliance market. He has always treated his family, colleagues, and the younger generation within the company with warmth.”

Mr. Han had a family with one son and two daughters. His funeral was held at Samsung Medical Center in Seoul on March 27th, attended by Samsung Electronics executives and family members.

Source: https://znews.vn/tam-anh-huong-cua-ceo-samsung-vua-qua-doi-post1540645.html