Two Korean astronaut finalists competing to become the nation’s first to travel in space will undergo various training courses in Korea beginning next week.

One of them will be chosen early next month to board the Russian Soyuz spacecraft and travel to the International Space Station orbiting the earth in April 2008.

According to the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), the two finalists, Go San and Yi So-yeon, will return temporarily from their training in Russia to begin two weeks of training in Korea.

The training program will consist of theoretical studies and scientific experiments the astronaut will have to perform once aboard the space station next year.

The one who is not chosen for next year's mission will serve as an alternate.

The final decision will be made by a seven-member screening committee, which includes the head of KARI.