한중일 왜 폭우 쏟아지나...지구온난화의 나비효과 영향 커

Some experts say the seemingly endless rain in South Korea this summer might be related to global warming.
As our Choi Won-jong explains it's a phenonomenon that's affecting Japan and China as well.
This has already been one of South Korea's longest monsoons on record.
It's been 41 days so far in the central region, 38 days in the south, and nearly 50 for Jeju.
Experts say this prolonged period of heavy rain might be down to global warming.
"Global warming in the Arctic has caused cold air to stay in South Korea. When the northern pacific high pressure expands, it results in frequent heavy rain."
When global warming melts the ice and permafrost in the Arctic, the region gets even warmer, and scientists believe that pushes cold air currents down to Northeast Asia. The monsoonal front is generated when that cold air meets the warm northern pacific high pressure.
The flooding, however, is not only in South Korea.
In China, torrential rains have battered the southern and central regions.
Over two months of flooding have affected more than 50 million people.
Japan's monsoon has brought record amounts of rain to the island of Kyushu, where floods have killed more than 70 people.
Closer to home, South Korean officials say this year's rainy season is not typical, but could become the ‘new normal’ if the world’s climate continues to warm.
Choi Won-jong, Arirang News.