Samsung co-CEO Han Jong-hee has died at the age of 63 after suffering a heart attack.

The South Korean company confirmed Han's passing today (March 25) in a stock exchange filing.

A spokesperson for Samsung stated that Han passed away at the hospital today (March 25) while being treated for cardiac arrest.

His death means that Samsung will be solely led by the newly-appointed boss Jun Young-hyun until a successor to Han is found.

Han joined Samsung in 1988 and spent the majority of his career in TV-related divisions. He was appointed co-vice chairman and CEO in 2022.

Prior to this, he was also head of DX at Samsung.

Jun was appointed head of Samsung Electronics' semiconductor business in November, as co-CEO, giving him direct control of the memory chip unit.

A month before, Jun issued an apology after the company released what it labeled disappointing preliminary Q3 2024 results.

In a note addressed to the company’s customers, investors, and employees, the then-vice chairman said Samsung has a history of “challenge, innovation, and overcoming” that will allow it to turn “the serious situation we are currently facing into an opportunity for a leap forward.”

Despite posting significant profits over successive financial quarters, Samsung has been unable to keep pace with SK Hynix or TSMC, its biggest competitors in the memory chip and contract chip manufacturing markets.

The company has also delayed construction at its fab in Taylor, Texas, to upgrade the foundry process at the facility from 4nm to 2nm and allow the company to better compete with TSMC.

DCD sends its condolences to Han's loved ones.