Mexican Engineer Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes Fired After Racist Slant-Eye Gesture Toward South Korean Influencer at World Cup

In a incident that quickly went viral and sparked international condemnation, Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes, president of the College of Geomatics and Topographic Surveying Engineers of the State of Jalisco (CITGEJ), was removed from his leadership position following a racist gesture captured on video during a 2026 FIFA World Cup match. The event occurred on June 11, 2026, at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico, during a match between South Korea and the Czech Republic.

South Korean influencer and content creator Yoon Su-jin, known online as Ino Cat or @inocat_t with millions of followers, was filming herself at the stadium when the man seated behind her made the offensive "slant-eye" gesture. In the video, Bernal Miramontes is seen pulling the corners of his eyes upward with his fingers while looking directly at the camera, then laughing. This gesture is widely recognized as a derogatory stereotype mocking the eye shape of people of Asian descent.

The clip spread rapidly across social media platforms, drawing widespread backlash from users in South Korea, Mexico, and around the world. Many condemned the act as overt racism, especially in the context of a global sporting event meant to promote unity and cultural exchange. Netizens quickly identified the individual as Bernal Miramontes through local Mexican media reports and public records, linking him to his prominent role in the engineering guild.

In response to the growing uproar, CITGEJ took swift action. The organization confirmed that it convened its Honor and Justice Committee immediately after the incident came to light. A spokesperson told media outlets, including the New York Post, that Bernal would be removed from his position as president. The guild expressed deep sorrow over the event and emphasized its commitment to professionalism and respect. Bernal himself later stated that he resigned to distance the institution from the personal controversy.

On Sunday, June 14 or 15, 2026, Bernal Miramontes issued a public apology via video posted on his Instagram account, available in both English and Spanish. In the statement, he acknowledged the video's wide circulation and the range of reactions it generated. He expressed regret, noting that he had hoped foreign visitors would feel welcome in Mexico but instead conveyed the opposite message through his actions. Bernal apologized specifically to the South Korean influencer, the broader Korean community, and Mexicans disappointed by his behavior. He described the incident as "purely personal" and emphasized his resignation to protect the guild's reputation.

Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes has reportedly lost his role after a viral clip showed him making a racist gesture toward Korean creator Yoon Su Jin at the World Cup.
He later apologised, and his organisation confirmed he’s no longer in position.#WorldCup #SSD pic.twitter.com/YoYQmsDJEp

— SIMONSAYSDRIP (@simonsaysdrip) June 16, 2026

The influencer, Yoon Su-jin, shared her perspective in the aftermath. While expressing discomfort at being targeted, she also highlighted the overwhelming kindness and hospitality she received from the majority of Mexican fans during her trip for the World Cup. This nuance underscored that the incident involved an individual rather than reflecting the broader Mexican public's attitude toward international visitors.

This case highlights ongoing challenges with racial stereotypes and microaggressions, even in high-profile settings like the FIFA World Cup. The "slant-eye" gesture has a long history of being called out as anti-Asian racism, particularly in contexts involving East Asian communities. Its appearance here, directed at a content creator documenting her experience, amplified discussions about respect for cultural differences during international events.

Engineering and professional organizations like CITGEJ often pride themselves on ethics, precision, and public service. The rapid removal of Bernal from leadership reflects an institutional recognition that such conduct is incompatible with holding a representative position. Professional bodies worldwide increasingly face scrutiny over leaders' personal actions, especially when they gain public attention and impact organizational credibility. In this instance, the guild's decisive response helped mitigate damage to its image.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted across multiple countries including matches in Mexico, aims to celebrate global diversity. Incidents like this serve as reminders that individual behavior can undermine those ideals. Media coverage across outlets such as BBC, Korea Herald, Global Times, and others brought the story to an international audience, prompting conversations about racism in sports fandom and the role of social media in accountability.

Social media played a dual role: it amplified the offensive video, leading to identification and consequences, but also allowed Bernal to issue his apology directly and enabled positive voices, including the influencer's, to share balanced experiences. Platforms facilitated rapid public discourse, pressuring organizations to act quickly.

Broader implications touch on cultural sensitivity training, especially for public figures or those in leadership. While one poorly judged moment does not define a person, the professional repercussions underscore that gestures once dismissed as "jokes" carry real weight in today's interconnected world. Experts in intercultural relations note that such stereotypes perpetuate harmful biases and can deter tourism or international collaboration.

In Mexico, the story sparked local debate as well. Outlets like Politico MX criticized the act as shameful, particularly when targeting a female spectator. The engineering community's response reinforced standards of conduct expected from professionals. Bernal's background as an engineer in geomatics and topographic surveying placed him in a field reliant on accuracy and trust—qualities seemingly at odds with the impulsive gesture caught on camera.

For the South Korean community and Asian diaspora, the incident resonates with patterns of anti-Asian discrimination reported globally. However, the swift accountability and Bernal's apology, alongside the influencer's positive notes on Mexican hospitality, offer a pathway toward education rather than division. Many commentators praised CITGEJ for setting a precedent in handling such matters promptly.

As the World Cup continues, this event serves as a teachable moment. Fans, influencers, and officials share spaces where cultural exchanges should foster understanding. Social media ensures that actions have immediate visibility and consequences. Professional organizations must navigate personal freedoms alongside representational responsibilities.

Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes' case illustrates the power of viral content in enforcing social norms. From the stadium seat in Guadalajara to global headlines, a brief gesture led to significant professional fallout and public discourse on racism. His removal from the CITGEJ presidency and public apology mark the resolution of this chapter, but the conversation on respect across cultures endures.

Moving forward, greater awareness and empathy in multicultural environments can prevent similar occurrences. The incident, while regrettable, has spotlighted the importance of inclusive behavior at global events, benefiting participants and spectators alike in the spirit of the World Cup.