Samsung Electronics Co-CEO Han Jong-hee died of a heart attack on Tuesday, a spokesman for the South Korean tech giant said. Han was 63.

Born in 1962, Han oversaw Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile device businesses since 2022, the company said. He was named vice chairman and co-CEO of Samsung Electronics in 2022. Han’s co-CEO Jun Young-hyun heads its semiconductor business.

Samsung has faced significant headwinds in recent years, with its semiconductor business lagging behind contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) in both ramping up production of cutting-edge chips and securing key customers.

At an annual meeting with investors last week, Han warned that uncertainty surrounding economic policies in major economies would make 2025 difficult, according to Reuters. He added that Samsung is looking for “meaningful” mergers and acquisitions this year to support the company’s growth.

“There are some difficulties in doing semiconductor M&A due to regulatory issues and various national interests, but we are determined to achieve some tangible results this year,” he was quoted as saying.

Han joined the company in 1988 after earning a degree in electrical engineering from Inha University. Before running Samsung’s electronics and accessories division, he was in charge of display operations.

“He played a key role in taking Samsung’s TV business to the top of the global market in 2006 and keeping it there ever since,” Samsung said of Han in a company biography published last week.

Han was “central” to the launch of Samsung’s LED TVs, which, along with his other innovations, helped the company “continue to demonstrate technological leadership.”