Man Who Claims World's Highest IQ (276) Seeks Asylum in US, Alleges Political and Religious Persecution

South Korean man claiming IQ of 276 says he has applied for asylum in the United States

Kim Young-hoon, 36, who has publicly claimed an IQ score of 276, announced on X (formerly Twitter) on 30 October that he has applied for political asylum in the United States, saying he is fleeing political and religious persecution under what he describes as a “pro‑North Korean” government in Seoul.

“I can no longer stay in South Korea, which is dominated by a pro‑North leftist government that suppresses biblical truth and betrays the freedom our ancestors fought to protect,”

In a 95‑second video post, Mr Kim said the current administration “punishes patriots and praises communists,” and described truth and faith as being under threat. In a separate message, cited by the Chosun Ilbo, he wrote that “South Korea no longer exists” and said he had applied for asylum to the Donald Trump administration on grounds of political and religious persecution.

Observers say Mr Kim’s asylum claim may have been prompted by the September detention of Pastor Son Hyun‑bok in Busan, who was accused of urging congregants to support conservative candidates during services — an alleged breach of South Korea’s Public Official Election Act.

Claims, credentials and public profile

South Korean media have reported that Mr Kim’s IQ claims are certified by the Korea Record Institute and the World Mind Sports Committee, which said on its website last July that he recorded an IQ of 276 at the World Memory Championships. Mr Kim has also said he was recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s highest‑IQ holder; Guinness discontinued that category in 1989.

Mr Kim is the founder and CEO of NeuroStory, an organisation that promotes “AI‑powered brain health solutions” and has reportedly received support from the South Korean government. His public profiles list studies in psychology, neuroscience, counselling and coaching, linguistics, sociology, philosophy and non‑denominational theology at institutions including King’s College London, Korea University and Yonsei University. He is also said to have founded the United Sigma Intelligence Association and to hold a PhD in statistics from the University of Oxford — claims that have been stated in his own profiles but not independently verified in this report.

In June, Mr Kim drew wide attention after a post about his Christian faith on X was viewed more than 21 million times. He has written that, as the “world’s highest IQ record holder,” he believes Jesus Christ is “the way, the truth and the life” and that the Bible is “the perfect, eternal, and final Word of God.”

Context and caveats

The request for asylum and Mr Kim’s public statements raise questions about the legal process he will face in seeking protection in the US, and about the verification of his academic and record claims. Reporting to date on his IQ and credentials relies principally on statements from Mr Kim and his cited organisations, and on South Korean media accounts. Independent verification of some claims is limited or unavailable.

This report summarizes statements made by Mr Kim and media coverage of his claims and does not adjudicate the veracity of those assertions.