Call of Duty Removes Seoul Crush
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Video clips of the 2022 Seoul Itaewon crowd crush were included in the opening scene of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. Families of the victims said they were appalled to see footage of people on stretchers, body bags on the street and resuscitation efforts repurposed for a fictional North Korean invasion. Activision apologized and confirmed the footage would be removed in the next update on 12 November. The disaster occurred when more than one hundred thousand people gathered in narrow alleys to celebrate Halloween, causing a deadly crush that killed almost one hundred and sixty people. The removal was welcomed by the 10.29 Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Association, though they noted no direct apology had been received.
More context
Timeline
- On October 29 2022 Itaewon crowd crush kills nearly one hundred and sixty people.
- On October 29 2026 Call of Duty includes real footage of Seoul crush.
Why it matters
Immediate US impact: Video removal sparks backlash among gamers Possible long-term US impact: Potential policy changes on game content Most affected groups: Victims’ families and gamers Reader priority: Understand impact on game industry
Coverage notes
Center: Coverage from The Manila Times, The Guardian, NewsBytes frames this as a developing news story: Call of Duty Removes Seoul Crush. Reporting emphasizes verified facts, named sources, and near-term impact for readers. Left: Left-leaning desks covering the same development typically emphasize public impact, institutional accountability, and who is most affected. Right: Right-leaning desks covering the same development typically emphasize practical outcomes, market or security stakes, and institutional response.
Primary report
BBC — Call of Duty Removes Seoul Crush
Sources
JQJO Editorial Desk · Human reviewed · AI assisted. Report a correction.
