Investing in Taiwan as a Base in Establishing a Global Presence

Celebrating UMC's 30th Anniversary and the Opening Ceremony of Phase 3 and 4 of Fab12A in the Southern Taiwan Science Park

Tainan, Taiwan, May 20, 2010 - United Microelectronics Corporation (NYSE: UMC; TSE: 2303) ("UMC") today announced the celebration of its 30th anniversary. UMC was founded in May 1980 as Taiwan's first semiconductor company. Over 30 years, UMC transformed from an integrated device manufacturer (IDM) to become a world leading semiconductor foundry dedicated to providing Customer-Driven Foundry Solutions to its global customers. The foundry is credited with inventing various operational breakthroughs that have become industry standards, such as the four-shift-two-round work system; advocated the innovative vertical disintegration model; and was first to implement the employee share bonus system. UMC continually dedicates itself to developing professional talent in IC design, manufacturing, packaging, mask, and testing, contributing to the flourishing supply chain that constitutes Taiwan's semiconductor industry today. The story of UMC's robust 30-year growth can be said to be the same story as the development of Taiwan's semiconductor industry.

Since UMC's first 4-inch fab began operations 30 years ago, UMC's technology development and manufacturing have been on par with the global semiconductor industry as a whole. From the company's tough early days, UMC has prospered under the wise and innovative leadership of Chairmans Robert Tsao and John Hsuan. Over the years, UMC built 6-inch, 8-inch, and now 12-inch fabs, and independently developed technology from the earliest 7 microns to the latest 28 nanometers.

UMC Chairman Stan Hung stated, "Currently, UMC has a total of 10 fabs continuously operating around the world, in Hsinchu, Tainan, Japan, and Singapore. In the earliest days from 30 years ago, UMC started with the manufacture of electronic watch ICs; now, we offer the most advanced 40nm volume production technologies. With our 10 fabs around the world providing global customers with the most comprehensive foundry solutions covering computing, consumer, and communications applications, UMC fully demonstrates superior technology capabilities and manufacturing excellence. Moreover, we have also dedicated ourselves to the highest environmental standards and invested deeply in green technologies and industries in hopes of providing the greatest return to our shareholders."

Since the debut of UMC's first 12-inch fab-Fab 12A-in the Southern Taiwan Science Park in November 1999, UMC has operated in the Southern Taiwan Science Park for over 10 years. In 2004 UMC moved its R&D headquarters to Tainan and built it next to our 12-inch fab to enable close collaboration between advanced technology development and the subsequent manufacturing so as to accelerate ramp-up to volume production. Tainan is currently home to 2,600 employees, 500 of which are R&D engineers. Fab12A began production in 2001 and has now ramped up to 45/40nm volume production. Independent technology development has reached the leading-edge 28nm using gate-last High-K/Metal Gate technology, with current plans to achieve silicon IP pilot capabilities by end of 2010. Early this year, UMC also began working with customers on planning and initial development of advanced 20nm technology. In response to increasing demands from customers for advanced process capacity, UMC has built Phases 3 and 4 next to the original Phases 1 and 2 fab areas, underscoring UMC's deep commitment to investing in southern Taiwan.

Dr. Shih-Wei Sun, CEO of UMC, said, "On the day we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we also simultaneously kick-off Fab12A's Phases 3 and 4 in the Southern Taiwan Science Park. At the fab, we are now setting up the cleanroom facilities and installing the industry's most advanced automation and manufacturing systems. Upon completion, Fab12A's annual capacity is estimated to reach one million 12-inch wafers. In conjunction with this capacity expansion, on March 5th we opened the doors to our brand new training and development center in Tainan and plan to recruit and train 1,000 employees this year."

From expansive capital expenditures to deep investments in professional talent and intellectual property, UMC has continually expanded the scale of its investment in the Southern Taiwan Science Park. Beyond a commitment to continue expanding advanced process capacity and developing advanced technology, UMC demonstrates the fruits of its dedication to southern Taiwan over the past ten years and shall continue to cultivate and stimulate economic development and job creation in southern Taiwan-realizing its strategy to "invest in Taiwan as a base in establishing a global presence" and drawing a solid blueprint for sustainable operations.

About UMC
UMC (NYSE: UMC, TWSE: 2303) is a leading global semiconductor foundry that provides advanced technology and manufacturing services for applications spanning every major sector of the IC industry. UMC's customer-driven foundry solutions allow chip designers to leverage the strength of the company's leading-edge processes, which include production proven 65nm, 40nm, mixed signal/RFCMOS, and a wide range of specialty technologies. Production is supported through 10 wafer manufacturing facilities that include two advanced 300mm fabs; Fab 12A in Taiwan and Singapore-based Fab 12i are both in volume production for a variety of customer products. The company employs over 13,000 people worldwide and has offices in Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Europe, and the United States. UMC can be found on the web at http://www.umc.com.