Younghoon Kim, a 36-year-old South Korean who claims to hold the world’s highest IQ of 276, announced that he has applied for asylum in the United States, alleging that South Korea’s government persecutes Christians and silences faith.
In a video posted on X on October 30, Kim said in English, “As a Christian and the holder of the world’s highest IQ record, I am applying for asylum in the United States.” The clip shows Kim criticizing what he called a “pro-North Korea leftist government” that “oppresses biblical truth and betrays the freedom our ancestors protected.” He added, “Patriots are punished, communists are praised, and faith has become a target. I seek refuge in America, where truth is not a crime.”
In another post, Kim wrote, “Korea no longer exists — only North Korea does,” calling himself “the first Korean to apply for asylum to President Donald Trump’s administration for political and religious persecution.”
Kim is reportedly enrolled in a master’s program in theology at a seminary accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) in the U.S. The “religious persecution” he referenced appears tied to the prosecution of Pastor Son Hyeon-bo of Saegero Church in Busan, who was indicted in May 2025 under the Public Official Election Act for endorsing a candidate during worship and prayer events ahead of South Korea’s presidential election.
The self-proclaimed genius has long attracted media attention. He appeared on the SBS program The Gifted in 2015, where his IQ was measured at 175. He later claimed official recognition from both the Korea Records Institute and the World Mind Sports Council (WMSC).
According to the WMSC, Kim scored IQ 276 at the World Memory Championships in July 2024, information it posted on its website last year. The Korea Records Institute also reported that Kim achieved perfect scores on two Wechsler intelligence tests — 160 in 2018 and 204 in 2022.
His asylum claim has ignited debate online, with supporters calling him a persecuted Christian and critics dismissing the move as political theater.
