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                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1




                  [Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati letterhead]




   
                                  May 1, 1998
    



Amkor Technology, Inc.
1345 Enterprise Drive
West Chester, PA  19830

          RE:  REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-1

Ladies and Gentlemen:

   
         We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-1 to be filed by
you with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 7, 1998 (as amended,
the "Registration Statement") in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of a total of 7,000,000 shares of your
Common Stock (the "Shares") that may be loaned to Smith Barney Inc. ("Salomon
Smith Barney") by Mr. James Kim and Mrs. Agnes Kim pursuant to the terms of a
Securities Loan Agreement. As legal counsel for Amkor Technology, Inc., we have
examined the proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the sale of the
Shares by the Salomon Smith Barney in the manner set forth in the Registration
Statement in the Section entitled "Plan of Distribution." It is our opinion that
the Shares are legally and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and will
continue to be so after their sale under the Registration Statement.
    

         We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, including the prospectus constituting a part thereof, and further
consent to the use of our name wherever it appears in the Registration Statement
and any amendments thereto.

                                   Very truly yours,

                                   WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                   Professional Corporation



                                   /s/ WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
