Samsung Electronics has announced a significant restructuring of its executive leadership, returning to a two-person representative system. Vice Chairman Jeon Young-hyun, head of the Device Solutions (DS) division and semiconductor chief, will join Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee as a co-CEO. This move, announced on Nov. 27, aims to address the ongoing crisis in the AI semiconductor business, particularly in high-bandwidth memory (HBM), and to strengthen the company’s competitive edge in the global market.

The memory division will now report directly to CEO Jeon Young-hyun, reflecting the company’s strategic focus on overcoming challenges in the semiconductor sector. Additionally, the foundry business chief has been replaced, signaling a shift in leadership to drive innovation and efficiency in semiconductor contract manufacturing.

Han will retain his position as head of the Device eXperience (DX) division and concurrently serve as the chairman of the Quality Innovation Committee. Jeon will lead the memory business directly while also serving as the head of the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT). Vice Chairman Chung Hyun-ho, head of the Business Support Task Force, will also retain his position.

In a series of executive promotions, Executive Vice President Han Jin-man of the DS division DSA general management has been promoted to president and will head the foundry business division. Han, recognized for his technical expertise and business acumen, has previously led the DRAM/Flash design team, SSD development team, and strategic marketing office. His promotion underscores Samsung’s commitment to leveraging experienced leaders to navigate the complexities of the semiconductor industry.

Samsung Electronics has also established new positions at the president level for the foundry division and the DS division. Nam Seok-woo, an expert in semiconductor process development and manufacturing, will serve as the CTO for the foundry division. Kim Yong-kwan, a strategic planning expert, will take on the role of head of management strategy directly under the DS division.

Further changes include Ko Han-seung, president and CEO of Samsung Bioepis, moving to the position of president in charge of future business planning at Samsung Electronics. Park Hak-kyu, head of management support at the DX division, will become the president in charge of the Business Support Task Force. Additionally, Samsung Electronics President Lee Young-hee will transition from head of global marketing at the DX division to a member of the brand strategy committee.

Samsung Electronics stated, “To overcome the uncertain domestic and international business environment and achieve new growth, we have transitioned the memory division to report directly to the CEO and replaced the head of the foundry business.” The company added, “We have conducted a reshuffle by assigning new business development tasks to veteran presidents whose management capabilities have been proven.”

The company plans to finalize and announce the 2025 regular executive appointments and organizational restructuring for executives below the vice president level soon. Given the increasing global business uncertainties, the scale of executive promotions is expected to be smaller than in previous years. Samsung Electronics will hold a global strategy meeting in mid-December, after the personnel and organizational restructuring is completed, to discuss next year’s business plans.