South Korea Families Demand Call of Duty Remove Itaewon Crush Footage

Bereaved families in South Korea have demanded that the makers of Call of Duty remove harrowing footage of the deadly 2022 Seoul crowd crush from the latest instalment of the video game. The seconds-long clips appear in the opening moments of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 to represent civilian casualties during a fictional North Korean invasion.

Demands for Removal From Bereaved Families Council

The footage in question depicts scenes from the disaster that unfolded during Halloween weekend in 2022, when 158 people died in a narrow alley in Seoul’s Itaewon nightlife district, with two more victims later recognized after dying from trauma. One clip shows a figure performing CPR on a victim in the street, while another shows rows of bodies and a victim carried on a stretcher. A joint statement issued on Wednesday by the bereaved families’ council and a coalition of civic groups condemned the inclusion. “We are appalled that the chaotic and desperate scenes, in which countless citizens performed CPR to save one another and victims lay on the cold street, were used exactly as they were to create a scene in a game,” the statement read, demanding the removal of the footage.

The groups noted that individuals who took part in rescue efforts or witnessed the crush still live with trauma. They also pointed out that hateful comments about the victims have spread online in connection with the game’s narrative premise. Players in South Korea identified the clips following the game’s release, prompting local broadcasters to air side-by-side comparisons with footage filmed on the night of the tragedy. The Korean Game Users Association joined the outcry by calling for a formal apology and the complete replacement of the disputed footage.

Publisher Response and Political Context

Activision, the game’s publisher, defended the inclusion in a statement provided to the Yonhap news agency. “Some actual news footage included in the game’s opening cinematic was utilised as an element to convey the fictional story within the work,” the publisher stated, adding that they had “absolutely no intention of mentioning or treating lightly any actual tragic events, including the Itaewon tragedy.” The Guardian has contacted Activision for comment.

The controversy emerged as the country marks the fourth anniversary of the crush on Thursday. The title itself had already generated political debate prior to its release. Conservative politicians in the country urged President Lee Jae Myung—who pursues a more conciliatory approach toward North Korea—to play the game to understand what they described as the threat from Pyongyang. Despite the backlash over its opening cinematic, Modern Warfare 4 topped South Korea’s sales chart on Steam within days of its launch.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Controversy

What specific scenes from the Itaewon crowd crush appear in Modern Warfare 4?

The opening cinematic includes seconds-long news broadcast clips showing a figure performing CPR on a victim in the street, as well as rows of bodies laid out and a victim carried on a stretcher.

How has Activision responded to the demands from South Korean civic groups?

Activision told the Yonhap news agency that the actual news footage was used solely to convey a fictional story within the game and that the company had no intention of treating real tragedies lightly.

What action are the bereaved families and civic organizations demanding?

The bereaved families’ council and allied civic groups issued a joint statement demanding that the footage be removed.

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