Han Jong-hee, vice chairman and chief executive of Samsung Electronics Co., has died of a heart attack, sources said on Tuesday. He was 63.
He suffered a heart attack on Saturday and died while receiving treatment at a Seoul hospital, people familiar with the matter said.
Born in 1962, Han was recognized as a prominent TV technology expert who played a pivotal role in maintaining Samsung’s 19-year streak as the world’s leading television manufacturer.
After graduating from Cheonan High School, he received a bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering at Inha University.
He joined Samsung Electronics’ TV development team in 1988 and advanced the company’s display technology.
Throughout his career, he held various leadership roles, including head of the LCD TV Lab, chief of the Development Group and head of Product Development. In 2017, he was appointed as president of the Visual Display Business.
In a leadership shake-up at the end of 2021, Han was promoted to Vice Chairman, assuming the role of head of the Device eXperience (DX) division. The position put him in charge of not only televisions but also home appliances and smartphones, further cementing his influence in the global consumer electronics market.
Han was credited with driving technological advancements across Samsung’s product portfolio, contributing to the company’s continued dominance in the home appliances sector.
Further details regarding funeral arrangements have not yet been disclosed.
By In-Soo Nam
isnam@hankyung.com
Jennifer Nicholson-Breen edited this article.
