The timing of Activision’s rumored “Modern Warfare 사” (sa, the Korean word for “four”) couldn’t be more provocative. Just days after South Korea elected Lee Jae-myung as president following the dramatic impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol for his martial law attempt, and while deepening North Korea-Russia relations pose new security risks on the peninsula, the gaming giant is reportedly planning to turn Korean geopolitics into entertainment.
The leaked details suggest a campaign featuring Task Force 141, the SAS, and the Republic of Korea Army working together to prevent Makarov’s false flag operations from sparking World War III—a fictional crisis that might actually be simpler to resolve than the current political reality.
What’s particularly striking is how the game’s strategic elements mirror real-world discussions. The emphasis on trilateral military cooperation between American, British, and Korean forces reflects ongoing conversations about extending ROK-U.S.-Japan cooperation beyond the Korean Peninsula.
Meanwhile, the promised integration of “futuristic tech/weapons” while staying “mostly modern” aligns remarkably with South Korea’s actual defense strategy, which allocates 2.8 percent of GDP—approximately $47.5 billion—to military expenditures and advanced defense systems. The line between fictional military scenarios and actual strategic planning appears increasingly blurred.
An opportunity – and risk
The cultural implications of this setting choice raise important questions about sensitivity and representation. Call of Duty’s track record with international conflicts has been mixed at best, often reducing complex geopolitical situations to simplified good-versus-evil narratives.
Given the peninsula’s current tensions—with North Korea maintaining an estimated 50-60 nuclear warheads and Russia potentially providing technical military assistance—the responsibility to portray Korean perspectives authentically becomes even more critical. The inclusion of the Republic of Korea Army as a playable faction suggests some attempt at Korean agency in the narrative, but execution will be key.
Ultimately, Modern Warfare 사 represents both an opportunity and a risk. While the Korean Peninsula setting could offer players insight into one of the world’s most complex security challenges, it also risks trivializing genuine concerns about regional stability. As newly elected Lee Jae-myung takes office promising to revive the economy and seek peace with North Korea through dialogue, while North Korea strengthens ties with Russia, the real peninsula faces challenges that can’t be resolved through eight hours of campaign gameplay.
Whether Activision can balance entertainment value with cultural responsibility remains to be seen, but the stakes—both virtual and real—have never been higher.
