COD Modern Warfare 4 uses real news footage from South Korean tragedy, is urged by families to remove it

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   Activision Removes Itaewon Crush Footage From Modern Warfare 4

   Activision is removing real-world footage of the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 following intense backlash from victims' families and the South Korean public. The introductory cinematic for the game, which features a North Korean invasion theme and topped local sales charts, included a clip showing a figure performing CPR and bodies lying in the street. Bereaved families and viewers expressed shock and labeled the inclusion insensitive. Activision apologized and stated the cinematic was not intended to reference or trivialize the real tragedy.

   Why it matters

   The controversy erupted after players identified actual disaster footage inside a fictional entertainment product depicting a North Korean attack. The Itaewon crowd crush in South Korea stands as a severe national tragedy, heightening sensitivities around its depiction. Game publisher Activision responded swiftly to the public outcry by scheduling an update to purge the disputed clip from the title.

   What is confirmed

   • Activision apologized for using footage of the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.
   • The disputed footage includes a clip that shows a figure performing CPR and bodies lying in the street.
   • Activision stated that the intro cinematic was not intended to reference or trivialise the real-world South Korean crowd crush.
   • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 was released on October 23, 2026.
   • Bereaved families demanded the removal of the footage, calling it insensitive.

   What to watch next

   • The release of the game update scheduled for November to remove the footage entirely.
   • Further statements or actions from bereaved families or South Korean authorities regarding the publisher's response.
   Sources used for this update (19)

   1. Japan Today — 'Call of Duty' North Korea invasion edition tops sales charts in South
   2. Video Games Chronicle — COD Modern Warfare 4 uses real news footage from South Korean tragedy, is urged by families to remove it
   3. BBC — Victims appalled as deadly crush footage included in Call of Duty
   4. The Guardian — Outcry after Call of Duty maker uses real footage of deadly Seoul crowd crush in new video game
   5. news.sbs.co.kr — Itaewon Crowd Crush Footage Found in 'Call of Duty'; Bereaved Families Demand Removal, Calling It 'Insensitive'
   6. CBC — New Call of Duty game under fire for using footage of deadly 2022 South Korea crowd crush
   7. The New York Times — Game About a North Korean Attack Is Slammed for Footage of a Real Tragedy
   8. www.polygon.com — Activision apologizes for using real-world disaster footage in Modern Warfare 4
   9. www.latintimes.com — Legalization of marijuana
   10. www.latintimes.com — Sex offender
   11. en.wikipedia.org — Call of Duty - Wikipedia
   12. store.steampowered.com — Call of Duty®: Warzone™ on Steam
   confidence 100%