Samsung Electronics is facing uncertainty in the wake of the death of co-CEO Han Jong-hee at 63. Han, who died of cardiac arrest on Tuesday, was involved in the management of Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile devices business. His death leaves a leadership gap at a time when the company is facing many challenges in the global market today.
Han was a veteran of Samsung Electronics for more than three decades and helped make Samsung the top company in the television industry, outperforming Sony and other competitors. He also covered the company’s growth in smartphones, home appliances and artificial intelligence. Han, during his tenure, integrated AI chips into everyday devices like refrigerators, washing machines and vacuum cleaners as part of the company’s plan to be the leader in AI-driven consumer technology.
The death of Han comes at a time when Samsung Electronics is trying to maintain its position in the market with regard to AI memory chips as it faces declining demand for consumer electronics. At the last shareholders’ meeting, Han shared the challenges that the company is going to face in the future and predicted that 2025 will be another tough year for the company. He said that Samsung Electronics would rely on mergers and acquisitions to spur future growth.
With Han’s unexpected death, the spotlight today is on his co-CEO, Jun Young-hyun, who runs the semiconductor business. It is still unknown who will replace Han, but either way, Samsung Electronics must act soon to maintain the strength of its leadership and keep growing through innovation. As it faces these issues, its direction in the future will be closely followed by investors and analysts.
