Anchor: The weather on the Korean Peninsula has turned decidedly fall-like with cooler temperatures in the mornings and evenings. But it wouldn’t be complete without the crimson autumn foliage. Meteorologists say that fall colors will begin to spread from the end of September starting from the mountain peaks in Gangwon Province.
Our Park Jong-hong has this report.
 
Report: This year, the autumn foliage is expected to start earlier than usual due to the cooler weather.
 
The Korea Meteorological Administration predicts that leaves will begin to change colors a day to two earlier citing that temperatures this month have been a degree lower on average than previous years.
 
The autumn colors will start to spread from atop Seorak Mountain in eastern Gangwon Province around September 25.
 
Gradually moving southward, Bukhan Mountain in northern Seoul will see fall foliage begin on October 12. Naejang Mountain and Palgong Mountain in the southern regions will feature the crimson colors of autumn by October 17.
 
But overall, fall foliage will reach its peak around the usual time of year.
 
About 15 days after the first leaves start to change, up to 80 percent of the nation’s mountains will take on the bright colors of fall.
 
This means that Seorak Mountain, a popular tourist destination, can expect autumn foliage to peak around October 18th.
 
This year’s autumn colors are expected to be even more brilliant thanks to the large gap in daily temperatures.
 
On the other hand, they are expected to be short lived due to the low levels of rain this year.
Park Jong-hong, KBS World Radio News.