Two Korean astronaut finalists competing to become the nation's first to travel in space, left for Russia Sunday after a two-week training session in Korea.

Go San and Yi Soyeon will receive training at Russia's Gagarin Space Center on adjusting to the environment after liftoff and landing, as well as survival strategies in case of an emergency in space.

During their recent training session in Korea, the two candidates had received training on theoretical studies and science experiments to be performed at the International Space Station next April.

One of the two 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 based on their performance in Russia and Korea.

Once the primary and secondary candidates are chosen, the two will undergo team training for liftoff, life aboard the space station, and re-entry.