World’s smartest man professes Christian faith on social media

The man reportedly holding the highest IQ in the world has drawn global attention after publicly declaring his Christian faith on social media.

On June 17, South Korean scientist YoungHoon Kim, who claims to have an IQ of 276—the highest ever recorded—shared on X: “As the world’s highest IQ record holder, I believe that Jesus Christ is God, the way and the truth and the life.” The post has since gone viral, amassing 14 million views and over 250,000 likes as of Thursday, June 19.

Kim’s exceptional IQ has been validated by respected organizations including Mensa, the Giga Society, World Memory Championships, the World Memory Sports Council (in collaboration with Guinness World Records), and the Official World Record body.

In a follow-up post on June 19, Kim addressed the overwhelming response, saying, “I will use this opportunity to lead many souls to God.” In another reply, he declared, “Amen. Christ is my logic.”

The Catholic Church affirms that the existence of God can be discerned through human reason alone. As stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (No. 36) and rooted in Vatican Council I’s Dei Filius, it teaches: “God, the first principle and last end of all things, can be known with certainty from the created world by the natural light of human reason.”

Earlier in February, Kim boldly stated on X: “God exists. 100%.” More recently, he added: “Our consciousness is not just brain activity. It may be quantum information — something that continues after death.”

Kim is the founder and CEO of NeuroStory, a company supported by the South Korean government and focused on developing AI-powered brain health solutions. He also founded the United Sigma Intelligence Association and serves on the board of the Lifeboat Foundation, which seeks to advance science while addressing existential risks from emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.