Marine life forms found in semitropical regions have been discovered in coastal waters off Jeju Island.

The Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs Ministry said it has found in coastal waters off Jeju Island four variations of dinoflagellates, unicellular organisms found in semitropical regions. The ministry said this is biological evidence that sea temperatures are rising in waters off South Korea, as the microorganisms have not been recorded inhabiting Korean territory before.

The ministry also said among the four discovered dinoflagellates, two types produce highly toxic substances known as palytoxins. The ministry said it hopes the toxins will be useful in developing pharmaceutical products, such as anticancer medication.

A journal discussing the newly found semitropical Dinoflagellates has been published in the well-known “Ocean Science Journal.”