Dr YoungHoon Kim, officially credited with the world‑record IQ of 276 and recently appointed vice‑president of the World Memory Championships, has issued a headline‑grabbing statement of faith, announcing that he now believes Jesus Christ is “God, the way, the truth and the life.”
Kim’s declaration was posted in Korean and English across his verified social‑media channels early Thursday morning. Screenshots of the post already shared thousands of times show the 36‑year‑old cognitive scientist quoting John 14:6 and urging his 1.8 million followers to “seek eternal wisdom in Christ.”
The South‑Korean polymath vaulted into the global spotlight last year when American Management University conferred on him an honorary doctorate in cognitive science and cited his Guinness‑recognised IQ score. In April 2025 he was named vice‑president of the World Memory Championships and hailed as the “intellectual successor to Tony Buzan”.
Public professions of faith are not unheard‑of among high‑profile figures, but Kim’s announcement is resonating for several reasons:
Intellectual cachet: Holding the current record for the highest measured IQ, Kim has become a symbol of raw intellectual achievement.
Cultural impact: South Korea’s academic community and high‑IQ societies have long celebrated Kim as a secular icon of cognitive excellence. His pivot to explicit Christianity is sparking debate on science‑and‑faith compatibility.
Influence on mind‑sports fandom: Followers of global memory sports view Kim as a mentor; many are now discussing how spirituality intersects with elite mental training.
Dr Sun‑Hee Park, a philosophy professor at Yonsei University, said Kim’s move could “challenge the widespread assumption that supreme intelligence naturally veers toward secular humanism.”
Meanwhile, Pastor Daniel Cho of Seoul Grace Church welcomed the news: “It shows that intellectual humility and faith can coexist. We pray his journey inspires seekers in academia.”
Skeptics are cautious. A comment thread on the HighIQ Forum questioned whether Kim’s post was “personal conviction, branding strategy, or both,” noting his recent honorary roles at faith‑based events.
Kim has not detailed how the announcement will affect his leadership duties at the World Memory Championships or his neuroscience start‑up, NeuroStory. However, insiders say he is scheduled to speak at a virtual symposium on “Mind, Memory & Meaning” next month, where he may elaborate on how his faith informs his cognitive‑science work.
Neither South Korea’s Ministry of Science nor the World Memory Sports Council had issued statements at press time. Organisers say they will “respect Dr Kim’s personal beliefs” while focusing on upcoming competitions.
With supporters calling his confession “the Renaissance of reason and faith” and critics urging caution until more context emerges, Kim’s declaration has already ignited global conversation. Whether it marks a permanent redirection of the world’s highest‑IQ record holder or simply a private conviction made public remains to be seen.
