Man nearly severs finger in protest of Japan's claims to Dokdo

SEOUL, April 21 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean man nearly cut off his finger and created a commotion in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul Thursday, protesting against Tokyo's renewed territorial claims to South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo, police said.
The 47-year-old man, identified only by his surname Choi, appeared from behind a building near the embassy with his left pinky almost severed and demanded the Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Masatoshi Muto apologize, the police said.
South Korea has been bolstering efforts to demonstrate its control over Dokdo after Japan last month authorized a set of new school textbooks laying claims to the rocky outcroppings in the East Sea. The South Korean government is pushing to build a maritime science base off the islets, while lawmakers have passed a resolution condemning Japan for the recent move.
Police said Choi also held a weapon up against his neck before he was persuaded to go to a nearby hospital.
On a leaflet made for passers-by, Choi wrote, "Japan is arguing that Dokdo is its territory, as if it isn't enough to teach distorted history. Japan should stop its atrocities and wake up."
hague@yna.co.kr