Anchor: The winter season is just a few days off but the unusual warm weather in Korea has led to spring flowers blossoming and frogs delaying their hibernation. Experts say the warm temperatures are hampering nature’s biological clock.
Our Park Jong-hong has more.
 
Report: Just days before December and on the threshold of wintry weather, flowers have been spotted in full bloom in many areas of the country this week.
 
Forsythias around Seoul, Gyeonggi and Chungchong Provinces bloomed out of the blue amid dry branches.
 
At the arboretum in Pocheon this week, people strolled alongside the yellow flowers that typically bloom when spring is in full swing.
 
Koreans were surprised as spring Azaleas were seen in the heart of Seoul and frogs were spotted in the balmier region of Jeju Island.
 
[Sound bite: Yoon Sun-hee - Visitor to Yeouido Park, Seoul (Nov. 27 / Korean)] 
“Passing by, I stopped in my tracks when I saw the pink flowers and gazed at them in wonder.”
[Sound bite: Kim Eun-soon - Jeju Island resident (Korean)]
"Something was jumping up and down. I checked it out and it was a frog." 
 
Typically spring flowers bloom only after the cold has made way to warmer weather and frogs tend to go into hibernation when the temperature falls below 4 degrees Celsius.
 
Professor Han Bong-ho at the University of Seoul explained that the country’s flora and fauna have confused the warm weather with spring as a brief cold snap earlier this month was followed by temperatures hovering up to 10 degrees above the norm.
 
[Sound bite: Dr. Han Bong-ho - Professor of Ecological Planning, University of Seoul (Korean)]
"This abnormal phenomenon due to climate change means that animals and plants have lost their natural biorhythm and are trying to adapt to the new climate.”
 
Compared to 60 years ago, spring flowers have started blooming eight days earlier if not confused of the season. Frogs also produce eggs up to 22 days earlier compared to four years ago. 
 
Experts say when plants and animals fail to adapt to the climate, it could lead to a reduction in the species’ population and may even disrupt the ecological system.
Park Jong-hong KBS, World Radio News