What happened to the Korean influencer at the World Cup?

She experienced a racist 'slant-eye' gesture from a fan and shared it online, sparking global attention.

Why is the 'eye-slanting' gesture offensive?

It's a long-standing racial stereotype mocking East Asian people's appearance.

What was the outcome of the incident?

The man was identified, apologized, and resigned from his leadership position.

Who responded to the incident?

Professor Seo Kyoung-duk of South Korea condemned it and called for global awareness.

What long-term impact might this have?

It may lead to stronger anti-discrimination measures at international sports events.

Korean Influencer Faces Racial Discrimination at World Cup in Mexico, President of Mexican Association Resigns

Published Jun 15, 2026 12:53 PM ・ Updated Jun 18, 2026 10:01 PM ・ 5 min read ・ Source: CNA (Central News Agency)

A Korean YouTuber with over 6 million subscribers faced racial discrimination during a World Cup match in Mexico, prompting public backlash. The offender, identified as the president of a Mexican engineering association, apologized and resigned from his position.

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Central News Agency, Seoul, 15th (compiled international news): A Korean social media influencer with over 6 million YouTube subscribers recently traveled to Mexico to support the South Korean national team during a World Cup match, only to be subjected to a racially offensive gesture—'slant-eye pulling'—by a Mexican male fan seated behind her, sparking widespread condemnation and online identification of the individual, who later issued a public apology.

According to The Chosun Daily, the South Korean national team played their opening group stage match against the Czech Republic on the 12th. Korean influencer ino Cat attended the game to cheer for the team and uploaded a selfie video from the stadium.

In the video, a Mexican man seated behind her is seen making the gesture of pulling the corners of his eyes outward with his fingers. ino Cat added a caption in Korean: 'Tell me, am I being too sensitive?' and in English: 'When I experience racial discrimination at the World Cup.'

The 'eye-pulling' gesture, where one uses fingers to stretch the eyes into a slanted shape, is a well-known racial stereotype targeting people of East Asian descent.

Professor Seo Kyoung-duk from Sungshin Women's University posted about the incident, stating: 'Many netizens have already reported this incident.' Professor Seo has long campaigned against racial discrimination at international sporting events like the World Cup and has also opposed the display of Japan's 'Rising Sun Flag,' which many view as a symbol of wartime aggression.

The man was later identified through online sleuthing as Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes, president of the Jalisco Institute of Surveying and Geomatics Engineers (CITGEJ) in Mexico.

Seo stated: 'At the World Cup—a global event that unites people across nationalities and races—such behavior is unacceptable. Miramontes must issue a public apology.'

Miramontes posted an apology on social media yesterday: 'I sincerely apologize to Korean fans and everyone who felt discomfort due to my actions.' He admitted fault and emphasized that he 'did not intend to insult or hurt anyone.'

He further announced that he would resign from his position as association president to take responsibility for the controversy. (Translation: Chang Ming-hsuan) 1150615

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Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
Category: Taiwan
Organizations: CITGEJ / The Chosun Daily

Korean Influencer Faces Racial Discrimination at World Cup in Mexico, President of Mexican Association Resigns

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