Is sannakji cruel

Answer 1

That would depend on how the octopus is killed and whether or not the octopus was killed. In many cases, the octopus is usually killed quickly by having its brain removed, whereas some chefs just cut them apart alive and don't even destroy the brain (in which case it would be cruel).

Regardless of whether or not the octopus is alive, the arms will continue to move, but this is just post-mortem nerve activity. If the octopus's brain was destroyed prior to preparation of sannakji, it would not be cruel.