Professor's online interview hilariously interrupted by children

A straight-laced live BBC interview in which a professor was interrupted by his two children has gone viral, sparking a jubilant reaction on social media.

Professor Robert Kelly, a Political Science expert at Pusan National University, was being interviewed from his home on the issue of South Korean politics when his two young children walked into the room.

First came a young girl wearing sunglasses. Professor Kelly attempted to push his child away but the youngster was soon joined by her sibling as a baby tottered into the room.

While the academic attempts to carry on with the interview, a woman rushes into the room, apparently doing her best not to be seen, grabs the children and takes them out.

On her hands and knees, she reaches back to close the door, still desperately trying to avoid the camera.

The interruption was over within 40 seconds, during which Professor Kelly veered from apparent annoyance to repeated apologies to stifling smiles.

Kelly kept his composure as he discussed the latest political drama underway in South Korea  where a court had removed President Park Geun-hye from office.

The toddler intrusion starts just as the BBC World presenter, James Menendez, starts to ask him a question.

“And what will it mean for the wider region — I think one of your children has just walked in,” he said to Professor Kelly.

He continues, gamely: “Do you think relations with the North may change?”

“Umm I would be surprised if they do … pardon me. My apologies,” said Professor Kelly closing his eyes and smiling.

In response to a Twitter user commenting on the clip, Professor Kelly wrote: “Is this kinda thing that goes ‘viral’ and gets weird?”

The clip has now been viewed more than 10 million times. Social media users described the video as the “funniest thing the BBC has ever broadcast”.