MOSCOW, November 29 (RIA Novosti) - Russia will sign a contract with South Korea December 7 to launch the East Asian country's first astronaut on board a Russian carrier rocket in 2008, the Federal Space Agency said Wednesday.
The number of hopefuls to become South Korea's first ever astronaut has dropped from 36,000 to 30. The final candidate and one reserve will be selected soon.
Two final candidates will start training at Russia's Gagarin space center near Moscow in spring 2007, according to agency press secretary Igor Panarin.
"The project has the South Korean president's special support, and will serve to strengthen relations between Russia and South Korea," Panarin said, adding the project was 100% financed by Seoul.
