Jong-Hee Han: A Legacy of Innovation at Samsung Electronics
1. Overview
Jong-Hee Han was a prominent South Korean businessman who served as Vice Chairman, CEO, and head of the DX Division at Samsung Electronics. He played a pivotal role in the company, leading several key divisions, including the Consumer Electronics (CE) and Home Appliances divisions, and driving innovation in the company’s TV and display business.
2. Career Timeline
- Jan 1988 – Jan 2009: Samsung Electronics, Video Business Division, Development Team
- Jan 2009 – Dec 2011: Samsung Electronics, Video Business Division, Development Team, Group Leader
- Dec 2011 – Dec 2012: Samsung Electronics, Visual Display (VD) Business Division, Head of Product Development Team, Executive Vice President (R&D)
- Dec 2012 – Dec 2013: Samsung Electronics, Visual Display Business Division, Head of Product Development Team & Planning Team, Executive Vice President (R&D)
- Dec 2013 – Jul 2014: Samsung Electronics, Visual Display Business Division, Head of Development, Next-Gen Strategy Team, Senior Vice President (R&D)
- Aug 2014 – Dec 2015: Samsung Electronics, Visual Display Business Division, Head of Development & Global Operations Center, Senior Vice President (R&D)
- Dec 2015 – Nov 2017: Samsung Electronics, Visual Display Business Division, Head of Development, Senior Vice President (R&D)
- Nov 2017 – Dec 2021: Samsung Electronics, CE Division, Head of Visual Display Business Division, President
- Dec 2021 – Feb 2022: Samsung Electronics, DX Division Head, Visual Display Business Division Head, Vice Chairman
- Feb 2022 – Oct 2022: Samsung Electronics, CEO Vice Chairman, DX Division Head, Visual Display Business Division Head
- Oct 2022 – Dec 2023: Samsung Electronics, CEO Vice Chairman, DX Division Head, Visual Display Business Division Head, Home Appliances Business Division Head
- Nov 2023 – Dec 2024: Samsung Electronics, CEO Vice Chairman, DX Division Head, Home Appliances Business Division Head
- Dec 2024 – Mar 2025: Samsung Electronics, CEO Vice Chairman, DX Division Head, DA Business Division Head, Quality Innovation Committee Chair
3. Biography
Jong-Hee Han joined Samsung Electronics in 1988 as part of the Video Business Division. He worked his way up through various product development roles and became known as a TV expert, having dedicated over 30 years to the television industry.
Leading the Visual Display Business
In 2018, Jong-Hee Han became the Head of the Visual Display Business Division, following the retirement of Kim Hyun-Suk. Under his leadership, Samsung strengthened its position as a global leader in display technologies, especially with its innovations in TV and visual display solutions.
Head of the DX Division
In December 2021, with the restructuring of Samsung Electronics, the IM and CE divisions merged to form the DX Division, and Jong-Hee Han was appointed the first head of this new division. As Vice Chairman, Han emphasized the importance of customer value and unity within Samsung, setting the stage for innovation across product categories.
At the 2022 CES, Han delivered his first keynote speech, unveiling Samsung’s vision for the future of connected experiences. He introduced the Home Connectivity Alliance, which aimed to create seamless device-to-device interactions, and discussed the role of innovation in making a positive impact on society.
3.1. Major Milestones as DX Division Head
- 2022 CES Keynote: Han outlined Samsung’s commitment to expanding personalized experiences and ensuring smooth collaboration across devices. He also spoke about the company’s future innovations.
- 2022 MWC: Han revealed that Samsung was working on metaverse platform devices, showcasing the company’s forward-thinking approach to technology.
- 2023 CES Keynote: Han again took the stage to speak about Samsung’s vision for a connected world, emphasizing the importance of overcoming challenges and pushing the boundaries of innovation.
- 2023 Samsung Developer Conference: Han emphasized the importance of expanding device platforms and delivering transformative user experiences through continuous innovation.
4. Death
On March 25, 2025, Jong-Hee Han tragically passed away due to a sudden heart attack. He had been resting after attending a family event on March 22, but collapsed in the late afternoon. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he could not be revived. His funeral will be held at the Samsung Seoul Hospital on March 27.
5. Personal Insights
As of July 5, 2021, Jong-Hee Han owned 5,000 shares of Samsung Electronics, valued at approximately 39.5 million KRW. In March 2022, he increased his stock holdings by purchasing an additional 10,000 shares in anticipation of the upcoming shareholders’ meeting, demonstrating his confidence in the company’s future.
Jong-Hee Han’s legacy at Samsung Electronics is marked by his leadership in transforming the company’s visual display and consumer electronics divisions, driving groundbreaking innovations, and reinforcing Samsung’s position as a global tech leader. His unexpected passing has left a void in the industry, but his contributions to Samsung and the tech world will be remembered for years to come.
