Han Jong-hee, co-CEO of the South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 63 from a heart attack. This sad news was confirmed by the company, which noted that Han died while receiving treatment for cardiac arrest at the hospital. As of now, Samsung has not revealed who will succeed him.
Han Jong-hee was a seasoned veteran with over thirty years of experience at Samsung, beginning his career in the display division. Just three years ago, he was appointed co-CEO of the company, where he played a pivotal role in transforming Samsung Electronics into a leading player in the TV market, surpassing competitors like Sony Group Corp.
In addition to his success in the television sector, Han headed Samsung's consumer electronics and mobile device divisions, which stand in competition with Apple's smartphone offerings. Recently, he took significant strides to incorporate AI technology into Samsung’s Galaxy devices. Under his guidance, the company began integrating AI chips into various home appliances, including refrigerators, washing machines, and vacuum cleaners.
Han’s untimely passing comes at a crucial moment for Samsung, as the company faces heightened competition from SK Hynix Inc. in the AI memory sector and navigates sluggish demand in consumer electronics. Last week, during Samsung's annual shareholder meeting, Han expressed that 2025 could pose challenges for the company, but hinted at plans for mergers and acquisitions to spur growth.
Han Jong-hee shared the leadership of Samsung with co-CEO Jun Young-hyun, who oversees Samsung's semiconductor business, while Han managed all other areas of the company.
In other news, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has announced an update regarding BSNL's 5G rollout. The establishment of mobile towers is currently ongoing across the country to enhance BSNL’s 4G network. Over 75,000 new 4G towers are already in operation, with an additional 100,000 4G towers planned for installation in the next one to two months. This expansion is expected to facilitate the future introduction of BSNL's 5G service.
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