More than 20-thousand people have applied to become the nation's first astronaut.

The Science and Technology Ministry and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute began receiving applications from April 21st.

Of the 20-thousand applicants so far, the oldest candidate is a 67-year-old honorary chairman of a large firm. Three applicants will turn 19 by the time of the application deadline on July 14th. Candidates must be 19 years old or above.

Meanwhile, 80 percent of the applicants are men.

With the final selection due in December, the chosen astronaut will receive training from January next year through March 2008 before boarding a Russian spacecraft a month later.

The project is part of the government plan to develop the space industry as a growth engine.

As of 2004, some four-hunred-20 people from 34 countries have ventured into space.