Kim Jong-in, dean of Wonkwang University's Graduate School of Health & Enivironment, studied 996 Koreans over 100 years old in 254 areas around the country. Areas with larger soybean and garlic crops have higher numbers of seniors over 100. Areas that have lower levels of biochemical oxygen demand in the water and lower levels of sulfur dioxide in the air, both indicators of pollution, also have greater numbers of centenarians.

Less developed regions, which have fewer water facilities, less public spending, and fewer paved roads, have more over-100 seniors than other regions. Rural areas that have low rates of tobacco consumption and fewer cars also have more centenarians, indicating that smoking and exercise affect longevity.

Professor Kim counted the number of seniors over 100 per 100,000 residents based on the 2005 census by the National Statistical Office. The region with the most seniors over 100 was Hampyeong County in South Jeolla Province with 27.72 per 100,000. Gurye County in South Jeolla Province came in second with 24.29, followed by Janseong County in South Jeolla Province with 16.79, Sunchang County in North Jeolla Province with 15.24 and Gangjin County in South Jeolla Province with 13.68.

The top four cities were all in North and South Jeolla provinces. By city, Jeongeup City in North Jeolla Province took first place with 6.93, followed by Naju City in South Jeolla Province with 6.91, Suncheon City in South Jeolla Province with 6.88, Gimje City in North Jeolla Province with 6.64 and Jongno District in Seoul with 6.49.

"To live past 100 it's important to keep good habits such as eating soybeans and garlic and not smoking, the survey demonstrates," Professor Kim said. The study was published in the August edition of the Journal of the Korea Gerontological Society.

(englishnews@chosun.com )