The first-person shooter (FPS) game 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4', which deals with the theme of a North Korean invasion of South Korea, has sparked backlash from bereaved families, civic groups, and gaming user associations after footage from the Itaewon tragedy was inserted into the game, with critics calling it a "senseless act."

According to the gaming industry on the 28th, the cinematic video within 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4', released worldwide simultaneously by American game company Activision on the 23rd, includes about three seconds of broadcast archive footage showing a paramedic performing CPR on an unconscious citizen immediately after the Itaewon tragedy.

The scene was meant to depict civilian casualties resulting from the outbreak of war within the game.

As this fact became known, reactions on social media poured in, criticizing it as inappropriate to use the Itaewon tragedy, which claimed numerous lives, as video material for a game.

Bereaved families and civic groups, ahead of the 4th anniversary of the Itaewon tragedy, have also raised their voices in protest.

The 10.29 Itaewon Tragedy Bereaved Families Association and the Citizens' Countermeasures Meeting issued a statement on the same day, demanding the deletion of the scene, stating, "Using such an incident as material for an entertainment-oriented game itself is highly inappropriate and a senseless act."

They stated, "The Itaewon tragedy was a tragic disaster that resulted in hundreds of casualties, and citizens who participated in rescue efforts or witnessed the event at the time are still suffering through trauma. If the game developer has even a minimum of courtesy and empathy toward the victims, it should take prompt corrective action."

The Korea Game Users Association also issued a statement urging, "There should be a clear explanation of the circumstances and an apology regarding the fact that tragic disaster footage unrelated to the context of the game was utilized, causing distress to the bereaved families and others. We hope they respond responsibly by carrying out an update to replace the footage."

At the same time, they added, "This controversy should not be escalated into demands for censorship or unjustified restrictions on the content of the game itself."

Activision stated, "Some of the actual news report footage included in the game's opening cinematic was utilized as an element to convey the fictional narrative within the work."

They added, "We had no intention whatsoever to reference or trivialize any real-world tragic events, including the Itaewon tragedy."

(Photo: Game screen capture, Yonhap News)