Mexican engineering association president removed after racist gesture towards South Korean influencer at World Cup
A Mexican engineering association president has been removed from office after a video showing him making a racist slant-eye gesture behind a South Korean influencer at a FIFA World Cup match went viral, triggering widespread criticism in both Mexico and South Korea.
- A viral World Cup video captured a racist gesture directed at a South Korean influencer.
- Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes apologised publicly and submitted his resignation.
- The engineering association confirmed his removal and initiated disciplinary proceedings.
The president of a Mexican engineering association has been removed from his position after a video showing him making a racist slant-eye gesture behind a South Korean influencer during a 2026 FIFA World Cup match went viral, prompting public condemnation and an apology from the official.
Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes, president of the Jalisco Association of Surveyors and Geomatics Engineers (CITGEJ), issued a public apology in English and Spanish and said he had submitted his resignation following the incident, which occurred during South Korea’s opening group-stage victory over the Czech Republic in Guadalajara.
The controversy began after South Korean YouTuber Inonyang, also known as Yoon Su-jin, posted a video filmed in the stands following South Korea’s 2-1 win over the Czech Republic at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico.
Inonyang, who has nearly nine million followers across TikTok and YouTube, was recording celebrations after the match when a man seated behind her was captured making mocking gestures towards the camera.
The footage showed the man, later identified as Bernal Miramontes, laughing and pulling the corners of his eyes outward with his fingers in a so-called "slant-eye" gesture, which has long been criticised as a racist act directed at East Asians.
The video also captured Inonyang reacting with a visibly tense expression after noticing the gesture.
Accompanying the post, she wrote: “You traveled across the world for the World Cup … And experienced racism…”
As of the time of writing, the video had garnered approximately 491,000 likes, 65,000 comments and 14,200 reposts.
Public criticism in Mexico and abroad
The footage spread rapidly across social media platforms and online communities, drawing criticism in both South Korea and Mexico.
According to South Korean media outlet Chosun Biz, internet users identified the man in the video as Bernal Miramontes, while Mexican media also reported on his identity and criticised the behaviour as inappropriate and racist.
Some Mexican social media users expressed embarrassment over the incident. According to The Asia Business Daily, comments included: “As a fellow Mexican, I am ashamed,” “I apologize on his behalf,” and “He should step down from the presidency.”
Criticism also emerged in South Korea.
Seo Kyung-duk, a professor at Sungshin Women's University, said on social media that pulling the eyes with one's fingers had long been used as “a representative racist behavior” against Asians and argued that such conduct was unacceptable at a World Cup event intended to bring together people of different nationalities and backgrounds. He also urged FIFA to take measures to prevent similar incidents in future.
Apology and resignation
In a bilingual video posted on social media, Bernal Miramontes apologised for his actions.
“Over the past few days, a video has circulated online and generated a wide range of reactions. For that reason, I believe it is important to make a public apology,” he wrote.
According to Chosun Biz, Bernal Miramontes said he wished foreign visitors to feel welcome in Mexico but acknowledged that his actions had done the opposite.
“I sincerely apologize to the YouTuber, the Korean community, and Mexicans disappointed by my actions,” he said.
He added that he had submitted his resignation in order to avoid damaging the organisation.
“This matter is entirely a personal action, and I will fully accept the consequences and responsibility,” he said.
Bernal Miramontes also said he was seeking a way to apologise directly to Inonyang.
Association confirms removal
CITGEJ said it “deeply regretted” the incident and launched an internal review before confirming Bernal Miramontes' departure.
https://web.facebook.com/CITGEJ/posts/pfbid031L29qsL4t2LN7QPzdqC1xPmLmUDYpTZPGardtWKFmCSukuJ6u9g8r27kB4yhA7Cil?rdid=0dJNCaLEkycjUCVB&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fp%2F1CZeUdv1aj%2F%3F_rdc%3D1%26_rdr#
A spokesperson for the association told the New York Post that the organisation was “deeply saddened” by the incident and said its Honor and Justice Committee had convened to address the matter.
The spokesperson said Bernal would be “removed from office”.
The association's Honor and Discipline Committee had also begun disciplinary proceedings against him before his resignation announcement accelerated the process of his departure.
The incident occurred during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and has reignited discussion about racism in international sporting events, particularly incidents targeting Asian spectators and supporters.
