HSINCHU, Taiwan, December 18, 2001 - United Microelectronics Corporation (NYSE: UMC) today reported that there was no interruption in wafer production following the 6.7 magnitude earthquake that was recorded off the Taiwan coast at 12:02 P.M. on December 18. The vibration felt in the Hsinchu and Tainan Science Parks from the tremor was minimal and well below the designed tolerance levels of UMC's production facilities, therefore UMC wafer fabs experienced no loss of power or significant damage to equipment. Operations are expected to continue at normal manufacturing capabilities.