The government has chosen Ko San, a researcher at the Samsung Institute of Advanced Technology, as the nation's first astronaut.

The Science and Technology Ministry and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute announced Wednesday that the 30-year-old computer vision engineer was selected over biosystems graduate student Yi Soyeon.

The ministry said that Ko will travel to the International Space Station next April and spend seven to eight days aboard the station orbiting the earth.

Ministry officials added that, having made their selection, they will now launch active efforts to prepare for the nation’s first steps into space.

Following the announcement, Ko vowed to do his utmost to realize the dreams of the Korean people with his voyage into space.

Meanwhile, the biosystems researcher Yi will complete her training program in case Ko is unable to participate in the planned mission.