[One Day Ten Thousand Steps One Day Thousand Characters] '103-Year-Old Philosopher' Professor Kim Hyung-seok's Centenarian Network and Centenarian Habits

Writing and Note-taking Are Everyday, Napping and Walking
"You Don't Age While Growing"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] 'Centenarian Philosopher' Kim Hyung-seok, Honorary Professor at Yonsei University, was born in 1920 and is currently 103 years old as the year has changed. Professor Kim still maintains consistent eating and lifestyle habits.

On the 22nd, appearing on TV Chosun's 'Star Documentary My Way,' Professor Kim wakes up early to read the newspaper and climbs the hill behind his neighborhood. Breakfast is simple and mainly vegetarian. He eats a little pumpkin porridge, then potatoes, and also enjoys milk. Milk is rich in calcium and strengthens bones. He also consistently eats one half-boiled egg a day. Professor Kim said, "It's easier for the person who cooks and I don't have to struggle when eating." Lunch is at 12:30 PM, and dinner at 7:30 PM. He eats whatever he wants for lunch and dinner, but the meal times are long. If there is a gathering, he eats the longest. Sometimes he eats separately or asks for understanding. Professor Kim has written over 100 books so far. Writing and note-taking have become part of his daily routine. On the broadcast, he said, "I have manuscripts to send to newspapers. I write in the morning and afternoon. Even if I wake up at night, if I think of something to note, I do it."

Professor Kim does not insist on eating less for longevity. After turning ninety, he believes it is important to eat and accept the laws of nature. Usually, it is said that healthy people live long and those who live long are healthy. But Professor Kim's view is different. He said, "It is not healthy people who live long. There are seven people who turned 100 around me, and none of them lived long because they exercised a lot. Rather, those who lived cautiously because their bodies were weak seem to have lived longer." Professor Kim is an advocate of naps to relieve fatigue. He takes a nap at 10 AM and then takes a walk around the neighborhood. He said, "As you get older, legs are the biggest problem. Exercising in daily life is good."

Professor Emeritus Kim Hyung-seok of Yonsei University is delivering the keynote speech titled "Lessons from a Century of Life" at the "Good Brain 2022 International Conference" hosted by Asia Economy. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The amazing thing about the centenarian philosopher is his network of centenarians. Born in 1920, he experienced all of modern and contemporary history. Among the people he met during that time were notable figures such as Dosan Ahn Chang-ho, poet Yun Dong-ju, writer Hwang Sun-won, and the late Cardinal Kim Soo-hwan. Professor Kim said, "Dosan was imprisoned for independence activism but was released on parole due to health reasons and stayed in his hometown. The words he spoke while engaging in educational activities deeply touched my heart," adding, "He left a greater impression on me than any other teacher. He is still my spiritual mentor." Yun Dong-ju and Hwang Sun-won were classmates with Professor Kim at Soongsil Middle School in Pyongyang. Yun Dong-ju transferred to Soongsil Middle School from Manchuria and was three years older than Professor Kim. Professor Kim said, "Since I was short, I sat in front, and Dong-ju sat a bit behind. Being three years older, he seemed more mature than us," and "He was a person who seemed to disappear without poetry, filled with poetry. That was the kind of person he was." They parted ways over the issue of shrine worship. Professor Kim opposed shrine worship and dropped out, while Yun Dong-ju went to Manchuria. Cardinal Kim Soo-hwan was his senior at university and reportedly had many similarities with him. Professor Kim said, "Although our religions were different, I truly respected him. He could have worked longer, but it is regrettable that he passed away before me." Cardinal Jeong Jin-seok was also a student of Professor Kim when he was a teacher at Joongang High School.

In September last year, Professor Kim gave the keynote speech at the Asia Economy 'Good Brain 2022 International Conference,' lecturing on centenarian life and centenarian philosophy. He viewed life in the centenarian era as divided into three major stages. The first stage is up to 30 years old, during which one receives education and grows. The second stage is working and retiring around the age of 60. The third stage is the period of old age. Professor Kim emphasized that the third stage is the most precious period in life. He said, "I lived for my job until retirement at 65, but when I thought about what I gave to society, it was nothing. When I considered which of the three stages was the most precious, it was the third stage where one can bear fruit and give back to society."

Professor Kim especially emphasized the life philosophy that 'one does not age while growing.' He said, "Around my 50s and 60s, my memory seemed to decline a bit, but my thinking ability became stronger. When I organized my thoughts about how long I grew, it seemed I grew until about 60 to 75 years old," adding, "I tried to extend this until 90 years old, and although my physical functions declined, my mental strength remained until about 95. I am maintaining my current health with mental strength." He continued, "Now, there is no need to think that one is mentally old until 90," and said, "The three ways to have a healthy centenarian life are to keep studying, not lose work, and stay interested in society." He added, "I hope you all live without thinking you are old until 90. If the majority of the people think this way, there will be no happier country."