The Ministry of Science and Technology says it will select South Korea's first-ever astronauts in May next year.

The ministry said two candidates will be selected over a six-month screening process which will begin in December. The screening process will be comprised of physical examinations, science tests, and interviews.

The selected two will receive advanced training in Russia from July next year to March 2007.

They will then go aboard a Russian manned spacecraft on October 2007 and take part in scientific experiments and space activities during a ten-day sojourn at the International Space Station.

Tough competition is expected in the selection process as the two final candidates would go down in the nation’s history books as the first-ever Korean astronauts while at the same time enjoy fame and celebrity equaling those of high-profile sports and media luminaries.