Severe Heart Attack Strikes Elderly Korean Man After Choking on Fresh Octopus Dish
82-year-old man in South Korea suffers heart attack after choking on live octopus, a local delicacy of freshly severed tentacles that continue to wriggle
An 82-year-old man in South Korea suffered a heart attack when he choked on a live octopus tentacle, known as san-nakji, a popular local specialty. The incident was reported to the fire station authorities in Gwangju, a city located near the southern tip of the country, by a fire station official on Monday morning.
When first responders arrived on site, the man had a cardiac arrest, and they conducted CPR, the official said.
The official did not say whether the man survived.
San-nakji is a raw dish made from small octopus, commonly enjoyed in South Korea's coastal regions and seafood markets. While it is referred to as "live octopus," it is important to note that the octopus is actually killed prior to being served, and its tentacles are sliced into bite-sized portions.
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Yet, it is promptly served right after being sliced, therefore staying incredibly fresh and allowing the tentacle nerves to remain active. This intriguingly makes the octopus appear "alive" as it gracefully moves on the plate.
San-nakji, known for its chewy texture, is typically accompanied by sesame oil, sesame seeds, and occasionally ginger. It gained attention during a 2015 episode of Anthony Bourdain's CNN series "Parts Unknown," where the renowned chef and television host explored various aspects of South Korean cuisine, including traditional delicacies like soju, Korean fried chicken, and even daringly tried san-nakji by skillfully using his chopsticks to remove a sticky tentacle from the plate.
The dish has gained attention in the past due to reports of several incidents where diners have died from choking or asphyxiating on "live octopus."
One well-known case, known as the "octopus murder," involved a South Korean man who was initially sentenced to life imprisonment in 2012 for allegedly killing his girlfriend and claiming it was a san-nakji accident. However, in 2013, he was acquitted by the Supreme Court due to insufficient evidence.
