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By Park Si-soo
A man, 71, choked to death in Incheon after eating a chopped but wiggling octopus, police said Tuesday.
The man collapsed about noon on Aug. 23 at a seafood restaurant, seeking help for respiratory difficulty. Restaurant staff called an ambulance but it arrived too late to save him. Police believe octopus suckers blocked his airway.
Surveillance footage showed the man suddenly complaining of breathing problems while eating a plate of chopped octopus with two others. Police found no signs of foul play.
Live octopus has long been considered a delicacy and stamina booster in Korea, especially during summer. But consumers are advised to be cautious because it may pose a choking hazard.