Mexican Man Resigns After 'Slanted-Eye' Gesture Toward Korean Influencer Sparks Backlash

A Mexican man who made a so-called 'slanted-eye' gesture toward a female influencer cheering for the South Korean national football team during the 2026 North and Central America World Cup match between South Korea and the Czech Republic has stepped down from his position as association president following intense public backlash.

The 'slanted-eye' gesture, in which a person pulls their eyes back with their fingers, is a well-known racist act that mocks the physical features of Asians.

According to the Mexican daily El Universal on June 14 (local time), a Korean influencer surnamed Yoon, who visited the Guadalajara stadium on June 11 to cheer for the Taeguk Warriors, posted a video on her social media that she had filmed inside the stadium.

In the video, a Mexican man sitting directly behind Yoon was captured on camera making a 'slanted-eye' gesture and mocking her.

The video spread rapidly across social media, sparking public outrage. After internet users tracked him down, the man was identified as Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes, the president of the College of Civil Engineers, Topographers, and Geodesists of Jalisco (CITGEJ).

As the controversy grew uncontrollable, Bernal Miramontes posted an apology video on social media, bowing his head and stating, "I wanted foreigners to feel at home when they visit Mexico, but I did the exact opposite."

He added, "I sincerely apologize to the influencer, the Korean community, and my fellow Mexicans who were disappointed by my actions."

Furthermore, Bernal Miramontes announced that he was resigning from his position as president of the CITGEJ.

"I submitted my resignation today to avoid causing harm to my organization," he said. "This was entirely a personal action, and I will fully accept the consequences and responsibilities that follow."

He also stated that he is looking for ways to contact the Korean influencer directly to convey his apologies.

(Photo: Screenshot from Professor Seo Kyoung-duk's social media, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.