HSINCHU, Taiwan, March 31, 2002-United Microelectronics Corporation (NYSE: UMC) today reported its employees are safe and there was no interruption in power or water service following the 6.8 magnitude earthquake (Hsinchu 4.0, Tainan 2.0) that shook Taiwan on the afternoon of March 31st. A very minimal amount of equipment was slightly affected but UMC's engineering team is working hard to speed the full recovery.

"UMC is constantly upgrading and evaluating its practices to provide a safe working environment to better prepare for man-made and natural disasters, as demonstrated by our rapid wafer ramp-up following the 9/21 earthquake in 1999," said Robert Tsao, Chairman of UMC. "We are glad that this preparation has also helped minimize the disruption following this recent earthquake."