SINGAPORE - Samsung Electronics today announced the launch of its single-largest social program outside Korea -- "Samsung DigitAll Hope" which will donate US$600,000 to organizations supporting the use of technology to improve the lives of youth and helping to bridge the digital divide. The theme for 2003 is "Live Your Dream," which will focus on fulfilling the dreams of young people.

Ensuring that all young people have equal access to information technology is an increasingly important issue for the future development of the Asia-Pacific region. I understand that Samsung is one of the first companies to establish such a large-scale, unified regional social program in Asia-Pacific focusing on this issue," said Dr. Kim Hak-Su, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), who is acting in his personal capacity as chairperson of the regional judging committee for Samsung DigitAll Hope 2003. "What makes DigitAll Hope 2003 monumental is the size of the grant money; its regional focus on an area where using information technology to fill a development gap will remain a key issue; and the theme of youth, whose lives will be improved through the use of information technology," Kim added.

Samsung is launching the youth-themed program in eight Asian countries -- Australia, Singapore, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines. The program is part of Samsung's commitment to give back to the countries in which it operates. Youth are the focus because those aged 15-24 represent such a large segment of the overall population in the region at almost 20%. "This region has given the Company such great success and the youth here, with so many ambitions, dreams and aspirations, should be given the chance to achieve greatness," said Kwang-Soo Kim, president and CEO of Samsung Asia. "When we looked at what was being done in our region, on a social level by large Corporations, we realized that much more was needed. I anticipate Samsung DigitAll Hope will promote the use of information technology for youth and perhaps influence other Companies to get involved in social programs as well," added Kim.

As part of the grant selection process, Samsung has sought consultation from National Youth Agencies throughout the region and UNESCAP to identify organizations matching Samsung's 2003 program objectives. Additionally, Samsung has appointed an independent judging committee to evaluate grant applications, which will be mailed out to organizations in the near future. Charities, non-government organizations, educational institutions and development institutes will be considered for monetary and product awards. On-going and newly founded youth projects will be considered for grants. Grant recipients will be announced by Samsung in early August, 2003.

The Samsung DigitAll Hope 2003 regional judging committee will be headed by Chairperson, Dr. Kim Hak-Su, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). Other members include:

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Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2006 parent company sales of US$63.4 billion and net income of US$8.5 billion. Employing approximately 138,000 people in 124 offices in 56 countries, the company consists of five main business areas: Digital Media, Telecommunication Network, Semiconductor, LCD, and Digital Appliance. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones, and TFT-LCDs.

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