![Activision apologizes over Itaewon footage in CoD](https://cdn.slatesource.com/8/d/6/8d61741e-e16d-4792-9f8d-622e6fbacb68.webp) # Activision apologizes over Itaewon footage in CoD - [Made in Slatesource](https://slatesource.com/@steph/activision-apologizes-over-itaewon-footage-in-cod) - By [Steph](https://slatesource.com/@steph) - Created on Oct 30, 2026 Game released 23 October 2026 Platforms Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S Real disaster 29 October 2022, Itaewon, Seoul Lives lost 159 people Footage in game ~3 seconds (CPR scene from news broadcast) Removal update 12 November 2026 [koreaherald.com](https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10920719?utm_source=slatesource) > We deeply apologize to the victims and their bereaved families who must have suffered, as well as to everyone who we have caused concern. The footage will be removed in our update set to be rolled out on Nov. 12. > > — koreatimes.co.kr From release to removal29.10.2022 – 12.11.2026 29.10.2022Itaewon Halloween crowd crush kills 159 people in Seoul 29.10.2022 23.10.2026Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 released on four platforms 23.10.2026 28.10.202610.29 Itaewon Bereaved Families Association demands removal of footage 28.10.2026 29.10.2026Worldwide backlash; BBC, Guardian, CBC report global outcry 29.10.2026 29.10.2026Activision acknowledges using real footage; declines removal at this stage 29.10.2026 30.10.2026Activision issues formal apology; confirms Nov 12 patch will remove clip 30.10.2026 12.11.2026Removal update scheduled 12.11.2026 [news.sbs.co.kr](https://news.sbs.co.kr/english/article.do?news_id=N1008823184&utm_source=slatesource) ## What the footage was and why it caused harm The opening cinematic of Modern Warfare 4 places players inside a fictional North Korean invasion of South Korea. To establish scale, the sequence used approximately three seconds of broadcast news footage showing emergency responders performing CPR on a victim of the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush — the fourth anniversary of which fell on 29 October 2026. The 10.29 Itaewon Bereaved Families Association said: "Using such an incident as material for a game intended for entertainment purposes is itself highly inappropriate and a senseless act." Activision said the real footage was intended to create a "realistic and immersive" fictional narrative, not to trivialise any tragedy. What happens next 40% Activision formal apology issued (30 October 2026) Removal patch confirmed for 12 November 2026 Bereaved families say they have not yet received a direct apology from Activision Korean Game Users Association monitoring follow-through on removal Families plan signature drive with foreign bereaved families attending Seoul memorial Sources: Activision statement to MBC/Korea Times (30 Oct 2026); BBC Newsbeat (11:27 UTC 30 Oct); Korea Herald (08:19 UTC 30 Oct); SBS News Korea; Shacknews; 10.29 Itaewon Bereaved Families Association statement (28 Oct 2026). Cover: Seoul skyline at night, CC0, Wikimedia Commons (mauveine.kim, 2018). Last updated 12:00 UTC 30 October 2026. [bbc.co.uk](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr1ex26lgqlqo?utm_source=slatesource) [BBC Newsbeat: Footage of Seoul crush to be removed from Call of Duty](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr1ex26lgqlqo?utm_source=slatesource) [Korea Herald: Call of Duty publisher apologizes, says will remove Itaewon footage](https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10920719?utm_source=slatesource)