Russian space librarians replace first S. Korean astronaut

William Atkins
Monday, 10 March 2008 21:14

Science - Space

South Korea announces that a female astronaut will replace a male as its first astronaut in space after its first choice was caught by Russian space officials mishandling sensitive reading materials.          

On Monday, March 10, 2008, South Korea’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology stated that Yi So-yeon will replace Ko San as its first astronaut to fly into space.

The reason for the change was because the Russian Federal Space Agency said Ko San violated its regulations concerning the use and reading of certain unauthorized books.

Reports are saying that Ko San “removed sensitive training materials” from an unnamed Russian facility.

Specifically, Russian authorities said Ko San removed a book from a Russian space training facility without permission. Media reports are taking that he replaced the book later, stating that he accidently removed it and shipped it home along with some other items. No other details are available at the time.

Then, Russian space authorities stated that Ko San read a book that was given to him by a Russian within the facility, which was on a list of unauthorized books not to be read by the astronauts.

Lee Sang-mok, a senior official with the South Korean Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, stated, "The Russian space agency has stressed that a minor mistake and disobedience can cause serious consequences.” [Associated Press]

And, it looks like two minor infractions will cost Ko San the chance to be the first South Korean astronaut in space.

Additional information about South Korean's first astronaut and first female astronaut follows on the next page.