A Mexican engineering guild president has been removed from his role after making a racist gesture towards a Korean influencer during a World Cup match. The incident, which occurred in Guadalajara during a game between South Korea and the Czech Republic, involved Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes, who was captured on video pulling the corners of his eyes towards the camera.
The footage was filmed by Korean YouTuber Yoon Su Jin, known online as Ino Cat, who later shared the video on her Instagram account. In her post, she expressed dismay, stating, "You travelled across the world for the World Cup and experienced racism." The video quickly gained significant traction, accumulating over 511,000 likes and 66,000 comments, with many users condemning Mr Bernal's actions and some Mexican users offering apologies.
Following the viral spread of the video, Mr Bernal, who served as president of the College of Geomatics and Topographic Surveying Engineers of the State of Jalisco (Citgej), issued an apology. He stated, "I sincerely regret everything this situation has caused. I have taken time to reflect on what happened and I understand the responsibility I’ve in this moment." He further added that he aimed to treat others with respect throughout his life and career.
Citgej, the professional association representing engineers specialising in surveying and mapping, promptly released a statement expressing their deep regret over the incident. They announced an internal review into the matter, emphasising their commitment to fostering a culture of respect and healthy coexistence. Subsequently, the association confirmed that Mr Bernal had been removed from his leadership position, in accordance with their internal statutes and regulations.