Samsung Electronics co-CEO Han Jong-hee, recognised for enhancing the South Korean technology giant’s television market presence globally, passed away from a heart attack on Tuesday at the age of 63, the company announced.
“He died from cardiac arrest today,” a Samsung spokesperson said, adding that Han was survived by his wife and three children.
“Han was central in the unveiling of Samsung’s world-class LED TVs,” the firm said in a company biography published earlier this month.
Han became part of Samsung in 1988 and was regarded as instrumental in elevating the visibility of its premium TV models internationally.
Samsung Electronics is the flagship subsidiary of the broader Samsung group, the largest family-run conglomerate dominating South Korea’s economy, the fourth largest in Asia.
Han was not a member of the Samsung family, which continues to hold significant influence over the company, with third-generation leader Lee Jae-yong currently at the helm of Samsung Electronics.
According to experts, the loss of Han could significantly impact Samsung’s strategy to maintain its leading position in the global television market.
Like its competitors LG and TCL, Samsung has been increasingly integrating AI technology into its large screens, which are approaching the capabilities of digital assistants to interact with users and other devices within homes.
Han passed when the world’s largest memory chip manufacturer faced challenges producing chips essential for artificial intelligence applications.
