‘World’s highest IQ holder’ Kim Young-hoon says he is seeking asylum in US

Kim Young-hoon says he is seeking asylum in the United States in a post on his social media account. Captured from X (formerly Twitter)

Kim Young-hoon, a 36-year-old Korean man who claims to hold the world’s highest IQ of 276, has announced that he is seeking asylum in the United States, citing political and religious persecution in Korea.

Kim posted a 95-second video on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, saying in English, “As a Christian and as the world’s highest IQ record holder, I am applying for asylum in the United States.”

He said he could no longer stay in Korea because it is "ruled by a pro-North Korean leftist government that suppresses biblical truth, silences Christian voices and betrays the very freedom our ancestors fought to protect.”

He continued, “Today, the Korean government punishes patriots and glorifies communists. Truth has become a crime, and faith has become a target. I will not bow to the evil. That's why I seek refuge in America, where faith is not persecuted but protected.”

In another post, Kim wrote in English that the "South Korean government has become pro-North Korea.

"That's why I am the 1st South Korean to apply for asylum under President Trump due to political and religious persecution."

Kim is reportedly enrolled in a Master of Theology program at a U.S. seminary accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.

The “religious persecution” he referred to appears to be linked to the case of Pastor Son Hyun-bok of Saeroro Church in Busan, who was indicted and detained in September for allegedly violating election laws by endorsing a specific presidential candidate during church services and prayer meetings earlier this year.

Kim has previously been described by Korean media as the holder of the world’s highest IQ, recognized by both the Korea Record Institute and the World Mind Sports Committee (WMSC).

In July last year, the WMSC announced on its website that “Korean Young-hoon Kim achieved an IQ score of 276 at the World Memory Championships.”

This article is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.