A public think tank forecasts South Korea will become a subtropical region post 2071 as temperatures continue to gradually rise on the Korean Peninsula.

The National Institute of Environmental Research released this forecast based on results of a research project on long-term national ecology conducted last year.

It says all of South Korea excluding some mountainous areas along the Baekdu Mountain range will take on a subtropical climate after the year 2071. Subtropical temperatures are an annual average of 16 to 18 degrees Celsius.

Some parts of the nation's south coast including Jeju Island are expected to become subtropical between 2011 and 2040 and temps will also rise to subtropical levels in Seoul, Daegu and the west coast between 2041 and 2070.

The institute has been monitoring ecological changes on inland areas, coastal regions, in fresh water, and in animal life in 19 research locations since 2004 in order to establish policy measures on preserving biodiversity.