The unexpected passing of Samsung’s co-CEO Han Jong-hee due to cardiac arrest underscores the escalating cardiovascular health challenges in Asia.
Samsung Electronics is mourning the sudden loss of its co-chief executive officer, Han Jong-hee, who passed away on Tuesday due to cardiac arrest at the age of 63.
Han, a nearly four-decade veteran of the company, was instrumental in leading Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile devices divisions. He was appointed as vice-chair and CEO in 2022.
Many of us have benefited from his vision without even realising it, as his leadership helped Samsung dominate markets from mobile devices to televisions.
Days before his sudden passing, he chaired Samsung’s shareholder meeting, where he and other executives faced tough questioning about the company’s poor performance in the rapidly evolving AI semiconductor market.
In what would be one of his final public addresses, Han apologised for Samsung’s declining stock value, acknowledging the company’s inability to effectively respond to the growing demand for AI-focused semiconductor technology, a market now dominated by competitors like SK Hynix.
Han’s unexpected passing leaves co-CEO Jun Young-hyun solely at the helm during a challenging period for the tech giant.
Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attacks In Asia
The sudden passing of Han Jong-hee brings to light the pressing issue of cardiovascular health in Asia. Between 1990 and 2019, Cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related deaths in Asia almost doubled, soaring from 5.6 million to 10.8 million, making Asia one of the world’s hotspots for heart-related deaths.
What’s even more troubling is how many of these deaths are premature – patients below the age of 70, such as Han Jong-hee who was only 63. Asia sees significantly higher numbers of these early deaths compared to countries like the US, driven largely by rapid urbanisation, changing lifestyles, and rising rates of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and smoking.
While the exact cause of Han’s cardiac arrest remains unclear, his sudden passing raises discussions about the potential impact of chronic stress on cardiovascular health. Studies consistently show that prolonged stress – such as high-pressure leadership roles – can significantly increase cardiovascular risk by elevating blood pressure, promoting inflammation, and contributing to the narrowing of arteries.
Recent Cardiovascular Deaths
Han Jong-hee’s sudden death echoes other recent losses among Asian public figures from cardiovascular events.
Just last year, beloved Filipino actress Jaclyn Jose passed away unexpectedly at age 59, deeply saddening fans across Asia. Likewise, Indonesian politician Haerul Amri, a rising figure in politics, died suddenly from a heart attack at just 51.
Even young South Korean actor Park Min-jae, only 32, tragically died at just 32 from sudden cardiac arrest in November 2024 while travelling in China.
