MEXICO CITY — A Mexican trade association leader has been fired after a video captured him making a racist gesture toward a South Korean social media influencer during a FIFA World Cup match.
Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes, president of the College of Topographic and Geomatic Engineers of Jalisco (CITGEJ), was dismissed following widespread public backlash. The incident occurred in the stands in Guadalajara as South Korean content creator Yoon Su-jin, who has nearly nine million followers across TikTok and YouTube, filmed herself celebrating her country’s 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic.
In the viral footage, Bernal can be seen laughing behind Yoon while pulling the corners of his eyes outward—a slant-eye gesture widely recognized as an anti-Asian racist stereotype.
Yoon shared the clip online, expressing her discomfort and noting she had traveled across the world only to experience racism.
The footage sparked intense condemnation on social media, prompting CITGEJ to take swift action.
A spokesperson stated that the organization was “deeply saddened” by the behavior, confirming that their Honor and Justice Committee convened to strip Bernal of his leadership position. The controversy comes just ahead of a highly anticipated group-stage match between Mexico and South Korea.
Source: NYP
