Samsung Electronics Names TM Roh as New Co-CEO to Strengthen Mobile and Consumer Business

Samsung Electronics has appointed TM Roh, its longtime mobile chief, as a new co-CEO and head of the company’s device experience division, marking a return to its traditional dual-leadership structure. The move restores the split between Samsung’s semiconductor and consumer electronics operations after several months under a sole-CEO setup that followed the unexpected passing of former co-CEO Han Jong-Hee in March.

Roh has been acting head of the consumer business since April, and his official promotion signals Samsung’s intent to reinforce the momentum of its strongest-performing segments—memory chips and mobile devices. Industry analysts describe the decision as strategic and steady, reflecting Samsung’s focus on competitiveness in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. According to senior analyst Ryu Young-ho of NH Investment & Securities, appointing Roh offers stability while emphasizing Samsung’s drive to leverage growth in mobile and capitalize on market opportunities in memory technology.

Samsung’s memory division, led by co-CEO Jun Young-hyun, has been benefiting from favorable market conditions and making advances in the AI chip race, an increasingly critical battleground for global technology companies. Roh’s elevation is widely interpreted as a signal that Samsung intends to push harder in mobile innovation while supporting cross-division synergies that can strengthen its overall device ecosystem.

The leadership reshuffle follows Samsung’s recent appointment of a new head of its business support office, a key strategic hub that collaborates closely with chairman Jay Y. Lee. Often described as Samsung Group’s internal control tower, the office coordinates major decisions across the conglomerate’s vast portfolio, including chips, smartphones, appliances, pharmaceuticals, and shipbuilding.

Despite the leadership update, Samsung Electronics shares dipped 4.2% early Friday, tracking a broader decline in Asian markets after U.S. tech stocks fell amid concerns over AI valuations and mixed signals from U.S. employment data. Analysts stressed that Samsung’s stock movement was market-driven and unrelated to the executive changes.