Samsung Electronics Co. announced the sudden death of Han Jong-hee, its Co-Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman, at the age of 63 due to cardiac arrest.

His passing occurred just days after addressing shareholders with an apology for the company’s underperformance and slow adaptation to artificial intelligence advancements in the past year.

Han, who joined Samsung in 1988, played a critical role in developing the company’s television business.

Under his leadership, Samsung became the world’s top television brand for 19 consecutive years.

He had been serving as the head of Samsung’s Consumer Electronics and Mobile Experience divisions since 2022, sharing the CEO position with Kyung Kye-hyun, who oversees the semiconductor business.

Following Han's passing, Kyung remains the sole CEO of Samsung Electronics for the time being.

Han was one of four senior executives leading South Korea’s largest conglomerate.

His sudden death creates a leadership vacuum at a time when Samsung is facing significant strategic and financial pressures, including declining profits, intensified global competition, and a falling share price.

Last week, during the company’s annual general meeting held at its headquarters in Suwon, Han issued a public apology to shareholders, stating that the company had failed to respond adequately to rapid developments in the semiconductor market.

He noted that the semiconductor sector was undergoing significant transformation due to AI demands and acknowledged the firm's slow pace in adapting to this trend.

He also warned of continued economic uncertainty in 2025 and indicated that Samsung was exploring major merger and acquisition opportunities to reposition its business.

Samsung had scheduled a major product launch for March 27, focused on AI-powered home appliances, where Han was expected to deliver the keynote address.

His absence is anticipated to impact the event's presentation and tone.

Over his 37-year tenure at Samsung, Han was regarded as a global expert in television technology and credited with transforming Samsung into a global leader in consumer electronics.

The company emphasized his contributions to navigating difficult market conditions and expanding its global footprint.

Samsung remains one of the world’s largest producers of smartphones, ranking second after Apple in global sales.

The company is also the largest manufacturer of memory chips, which are essential components in devices ranging from smartwatches and electric vehicles to data centers supporting advanced artificial intelligence systems.

However, in recent years, Samsung has lagged behind rivals such as SK Hynix and TSMC in the development of high-bandwidth memory chips used in AI infrastructure.

The company has not yet announced a successor or changes to its leadership structure following Han’s death.