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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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People File • Genius

Kim Ung-yong

Kim Ung-yong is a South Korean civil engineer and professor who became famous as a child prodigy.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Kim Ung-yong is a South Korean civil engineer and professor who became famous as a child prodigy with a reported IQ above 210.

What it is

Kim Ung-yong was born on March 8, 1962, in South Korea. He gained international attention as a child prodigy, reportedly able to read and write multiple languages at a very young age and appearing on Japanese television. He was said to have scored above 210 on the Stanford–Binet Intelligence Scale.

Why it matters

Kim's story illustrates the complex path of a child prodigy: after studying in the United States and working at NASA, he returned to South Korea, completed a Ph.D. in civil engineering, and pursued a quieter academic career. He has been described in media as a 'genius' or 'failed genius,' but his later professional life shows a shift toward engineering and teaching.

Key details

By 2014, Kim was an associate professor at Shinhan University and vice president of the North Kyeong-gi Development Research Center. He has also been adjunct faculty at Chungbuk National University. No reliable source reports his death, and later references place him in South Korea.

In short

  • Kim Ung-yong was a child prodigy with a reported IQ above 210.
  • He studied in the U.S. and worked at NASA before returning to South Korea.
  • He later became a civil engineer and professor at South Korean universities.
  • He is still alive and active in academic roles as of 2026.

Quick questions

Who is Kim Ung-yong?
Kim Ung-yong is a South Korean civil engineer and professor who became famous as a child prodigy.
What is Kim Ung-yong's IQ?
He is widely reported to have had an IQ above 210, though such rankings are not considered precise by all sources.
Is Kim Ung-yong still alive?
Yes. No reliable source reports his death, and later career references describe him as active in professional roles.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Ung-yong
    Supports: Birth date, South Korean civil engineer and professor, child prodigy status, IQ above 210, later roles at Shinhan University and North Kyeong-gi Development Research Center.
  2. Simple Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Ungyong
    Supports: Early language abilities, childhood television appearance, adjunct faculty reference at Chungbuk National University.
  3. Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Ung-yong
    Supports: Reported IQ estimate of 210 and description as a Korean scientist and former child prodigy.
  4. Alchetron — https://alchetron.com/Kim-Ung-yong
    Supports: Birth date, civil engineer and former child prodigy, Guinness World Records 'Highest IQ' mention.
  5. History Defined — https://historydefined.net/kim-ung-yong/
    Supports: NASA employment, return to South Korea, adjunct faculty and associate professor references.
  6. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HTZ4NbNeRg
    Supports: Popular biographical claims about early speaking, languages, and NASA work; used cautiously as secondary support only.