The mother of the BBC expert whose interview about South Korea was abruptly interrupted by his children has told DailyMail.com she could have been the accidental cause of the hilarious gaffe.

The footage shows expert Robert Kelly, associate professor of political science at Pusan National University in Busan, handling serious questions on the country's president, Park Geun-hye, being ousted from power.

But suddenly, his two young children, Marion 4, and James, who is just nine months, burst into the room one after the other.

Now their grandmother, Ellen Kelly, of University Heights, outside Cleveland, Ohio, tells DailyMail.com that the children may have thought they were Skyping their grandparents.

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Professor Robert Kelly rose to internet stardom this morning as his interview with BBC about ousted South Korean president Park Geun-hye was gatecrashed by his two young children

Both the presenter and Kelly try to keep their cool despite the hilarious interruption, first from his curious four-year-old daughter, Marion, then by his nine-month-old son James in a walker

Ellen Kelly, 72, with her husband, Joseph, spoke to DailyMail.com and said she could be the reason behind the gaffe. She said that she regularly Skypes with the children and that 'the kids probably heard voices coming from the computer and assumed it was grandma'

No sooner had the interview been broadcast that people were clamoring to share the clip online

Mrs Kelly, the professor's mother, said she and her husband Joseph usually Skype with Robert, his wife Jung-a Kim and the two children from the same place as he was carrying out the BBC interview.

'Robert usually Skypes with us from his home office, which is where he did the interview.

'The kids probably heard voices coming from the computer and assumed it was us,' she said laughing. 'It was just hilarious'.

Mrs Kelly, 72, explained that her 44-year-old son, who is an expert on South Korean politics, has done a number of interviews on network television for other outlets, including CNN, as well as CNBC, Sky News, and ITN.

She said: 'I just hope that he gains recognition for his expertise rather than for this - as great as it all is.'

Professor Kelly moved to Korea in 2008 to teach political science at Pusan National University, after completing his PhD at Ohio State University.

While at Ohio State he made friends with a Korean student who sparked his interest in the country's politics, his mother said.

And soon after making the move, he met his now-wife of six years, Jung-a Kim, a yoga teacher.

Professor Kelly teaches political science at Pusan National University in Busan, Korea, where he now lives with his wife, Jung-a Kim, a yoga teacher, and their two children, Marion, four, and nine-month-old James

The footage shows Kelly's daughter, Marion (now four) bursting into her dad's home office wearing a bright yellow top and performing a comical dance behind her father only to be followed in by her little brother, James. Her grandmother Ellen Kelly said that her 'favorite' part was when Jung-a skids through in an attempt to salvage the interview

'We've been to Korea twice,' said Mrs Kelly. 'First for Robert's wedding in 2010 and then when our granddaughter Marion turned 100 days old.'

'Baek-il' is a Korean tradition, where families celebrate the 100th day of a child's life.

'I can only say "thank you' in Korean", said Mrs Kelly, 'but I'm slowly learning.'

One of three children, Professor Kelly is 'almost' fluent in Korean, his mother explained, but is 'naturally good' with languages. He also speaks German, French, Russian, Latin and classical Greek.

The proud mom said that she first heard the video had 'gone viral' when her sister called her this morning.

She said: 'First my sister called and then we spoke to Robert, who was a little disturbed - probably just embarrassed.'

Mrs Kelly added that she thought 'the best part' of the video was when his wife, Jung-a, came skidding through.

In an attempt to salvage the interview, Jung-a grabs the two youngsters and drags them out of the room, but one of them could be heard wailing in the background and baby James' walker wouldn't fit back through the door.

'It was just fantastic,' Mrs Kelly said. 'Robert will be in for a real treat when he wakes up the morning.'

As Korea is 14 hours ahead of the U.S., Mrs Kelly doesn't know if her son is fully aware of his internet fame - most of which grew when he would normally be asleep.

But Facebook posts on the professor's wall, congratulating him on his 'performance' and calling him a 'star', are flooding in.

One Facebook friend, Bobby McGill, wrote: 'An instant classic. Be sure to get your book deal by mid-week.'

Mrs Kelly told DailyMail.com that she is exceptionally proud of her son and all of his accomplishments, and added that he is a 'wonderful' and committed father.

'Life happens,' she said, laughing. 'The lesson is to lock the door!'

And after the segment had finished, the presenter admitted on Twitter that he had struggled to keep it together during the episode

Some Twitter users took a more serious approach to reassure viewers that Professor Kelly is a voice of authority as well as a source of fun - something his mother would agree with

The stuff of memes: The internet was quick to react to the hilarious clip with Twitter users uploading and sharing memes

The Seinfeld themed meme drew comparisons with character Kramer's famous entrances and little Marion marching into the room mid-broadcast

Another meme captured the exact moment despairing Professor Kelly realised his daughter was in the room and tried to nudge her out of shot

Journalist Victoria Craw couldn't contain her joy at the hilarious interview