Families who lost loved ones in the 2022 crowd crush in Seoul have expressed shock and outrage after discovering real footage of the disaster in the latest Call of Duty video game. The opening scene of Modern Warfare 4 incorporates video recordings of rescue efforts from the Itaewon tragedy to depict the aftermath of a fictional North Korean attack.
Outrage Over Entertainment Use
The disaster occurred four years ago on Thursday when over 100,000 people gathered in the nightlife district of Seoul to celebrate Halloween. The narrow streets became severely congested, trapping individuals to the point where movement was impossible and breathing became difficult, ultimately claiming nearly 160 lives.
The bereaved families issued a statement condemning the inclusion of the footage, stating, “We cannot help but be appalled that the chaotic and desperate scene, in which many citizens at the site performed CPR to save one another and victims lay on the freezing street, was used as it was to create a scene in a game.”
The families added that using such an event for an entertainment product is entirely inappropriate and senseless, urging the developer to take immediate corrective action out of basic courtesy and empathy toward the victims.
Developer Response and Previous Controversy
Activision acknowledged that the game incorporates recordings from that night. A spokesperson for the company stated that they never intended to reference or trivialize the Itaewon disaster or any other real-world tragedy.
“In developing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, we approached the subject matter with care and respect,” the spokesperson said, explaining that the opening cinematic uses real-world news coverage to establish a fictional narrative.
Activision did not provide a comment regarding the families’ demand to edit the scene and remove the footage. The game, released the prior week, had already drawn criticism for its plotline involving a North Korean invasion of South Korea, given the ongoing technical state of war between the two nations since the 1953 armistice.
Addressing criticism at the launch of the game, Call of Duty chief marketing officer Tyler Bahl emphasized the entertainment nature of the product.
