The Samsung Co-CEOs: Jong-Hee Han & Young-Hyun Jun

Samsung Electronics Co-CEOs Jong-Hee Han and Young-Hyun Jun exemplify the power of extensive specialization. Both executives have built their careers on hard work, strong educational foundations, and decades of commitment to Samsung. Join us as we dig deeper into their respective careers and Samsungs unique dual-CEO structure.

• Deep specialization: Han's and Jun's journeys are marked by their solid educational backgrounds and thorough experience in their fields.

• Committed to Samsung: The two CEOs are veterans at the Korean company, having navigated through various roles across several decades.

• Multiple CEOs: Samsung's multiple CEO system is designed to manage its complex and diverse operations, enabling quicker and more agile decision-making.

Jong-Hee Han was born in 1962, in a South Korea still recovering from the devastation of the Korean War, which had ended just a decade earlier. During this period, the country was undergoing a rapid transformation from a war-torn nation into an emerging industrial powerhouse, a context that would give great opportunities to ambitious individuals.

Raised in a culture that valued education and hard work highly, Han was encouraged by his family to pursue his studies with dedication. For his advanced education, he chose to major in electronics engineering at Inha University, one of South Korea's leading institutions for science and technology. After earning his bachelor's degree in 1988, Han began his decades-long rise at Samsung Electronics.

As Han joined Samsung the company had already established itself as a major force in consumer electronics and was increasing its focus on memory products through its semiconductor division. Han's initial role was in Research and Development, with a specific focus on display technologies. In the R&D team, he contributed to the development of Samsung's display technologies as the company emerged as one of the world's leading TV manufacturers.

In 2013, Han advanced rapidly within Samsung, becoming Head of the R&D team in the Visual Display Business after previously leading Product R&D in the same division. During these years Han strengthened Samsungs position as a leader in the industry while driving innovation. One highlight from this period was the development and commercialization of QLED technology and ultra HD displays, which were big successes for Samsung's television business.

Serving as head of the Visual Display Business, Han's commitment to quality was evident in a critical decision during the development of a flagship TV model. Faced with challenges in achieving the desired display quality, Han made the bold choice to delay the product's release, prioritizing Samsung's high standards over meeting tight deadlines. This decision proved successful, as the TV was eventually released to widespread acclaim, and Han's decision-making was applauded.

Han's career progression saw him take on the role as Head of the Visual Display Business in 2017 before he ultimately reached the top and was appointed Vice Chariman, co-CEO, Head of Device Experience, while also serving as Head of Digital Transformation.

Han's leadership is often described as visionary mixed with down-to-earth pragmatism. He is known for his emphasis on innovation and fostering a culture of creativity and teamwork. A telling example of Han's leadership style emerged at a major tech conference, where he chose to mingle with the engineers, rather than take the spotlight. When asked why he wasn't giving a presentation like other CEOs, he responded that the products and the people who built them deserved the spotlight. This humility and focus on team success has earned him deep respect within Samsung and the broader tech community.

Born in 1960, Young-Hyun Jun, like Han, understood the importance of education early on. He earned his bachelor's degree in electronics engineering from Hanyang University in 1984, followed by both his M.S. in 1986 and Ph.D. in 1989 from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. After graduating, Jun worked briefly at LG Semiconductor, where he was engaged in DRAM development, before joining Samsung and continuing this focus.

Joining Samsung in 2000, Jun initially worked in the development of DRAM and Flash memory, helping to solidify Samsung's position as a leader in memory technology. In 2014 Jun was appointed as Head of the Memory Business. In this role, Jun was responsible for overseeing the development and production of DRAM, NAND flashes, and other components essential for a wide range of applications, from smartphones to data centers.

After a few years, Jun took on a new challenge in 2017, becoming the CEO of Samsung SDI, the company's battery and energy storage subsidiary. This strategic move aligned with Samsung's ambition to expand its presence in the rapidly growing market for electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems. His leadership at Samsung SDI helped position the company as a key player in the global battery market.

In 2024, after a brief tenure as Head of Future Business, Jun was appointed co-CEO of Samsung Electronics alongside Jong-Hee Han and took on the role of Head of Device Solutions, the company's semiconductor division.

Further reading: The 10 Largest Semiconductor Companies in the World

Samsung's decision to have multiple CEOs, rather than a single leader, might sound a bit unconventional at first, but when explained it makes sense. The decision stems from its complex structure and the need to manage its diverse and expansive business operations effectively, allowing for more agile decision-making across the company. The leaders of these divisions are typically seasoned executives with deep expertise in their respective fields, which truly is evident in the case of Han and Jun, who have dedicated decades specializing within their respective divisions at Samsung. This approach was first introduced in 2013, when Samsung adopted a three-CEO model to better manage its business units: Consumer Electronics, IT and Mobile Communications, and Device Solutions.

In 2021, Samsung underwent a large restructuring, merging the consumer electronics, and IT and mobile communications units. This left the Korean giant with two divisions: Device Experience and Device Solutions, prompting a reshuffle in leadership from three CEOs to two. Jong-Hee Han was appointed CEO of the Device Experience, which includes his former unit, the Visual Display Business, along with the Digital Appliances Business, Health and Medical Equipment Business, MX Business, and Networks Business.

Earlier this year, Young-Hyun Jun assumed leadership of Device Solutions, primarily focusing on semiconductor and component-related businesses. On his arrival, Samsung expressed confidence that Jun would strengthen its competitiveness amid an uncertain global business environment.

Jong-Hee Han and Young-Hyun Jun have both risen to the top of Samsung through a shared commitment to hard work and deep expertise in their respective fields. Their experience in the company and their units, make them ideally suited for the dual CEO roles, allowing each to focus on their areas of specialization and build on Samsungs success.

Further reading: Lee Byung-chul: Samsung's Visionary Founder