IKEA to Stop Selling Controversial Map

Swedish furniture giant IKEA has agreed to stop selling a wall decoration adorned with a world map that labels the waters between Korea and Japan only as "Sea of Japan."

Korea and Japan tussle over the name, which in Korea is known as the East Sea.

IKEA Korea in a statement on Thursday said the store "made a mistake in underestimating the sensitivity of this issue and for this, we sincerely apologize."

The chain continues to bring out new products and some 20 percent of merchandise is replaced each year, so the map "will be taken out in 2015 worldwide," the company said.

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Korea Loses to Iran in Friendly on Controversial Goal

Korea lost to Iran 1-0 in a friendly match in Teheran on Tuesday. With the defeat, Korea's all-time record against Iran is now nine wins, seven draws, and 12 losses.

Iran broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute when substitute Sardar Azmoun scored a controversial goal after Javad Nekounam's free-kick had hit both posts. Korean goalkeeper Kim Jin-hyeon tried to grab the ball but Azmoun crashed into him, allowing the ball to slip into the net.

It appeared Azmoun charged the goalkeeper, but the referee from Uzbekistan did not call the foul.

Korean and Iranian players argue during a friendly match in Teheran on Tuesday. /Newsis

With the end of this year's last friendly, Korean footballers now get ready for the Asian Cup, which kicks off in Australia in January.

Manager Uli Stielike will call up players from the Korean K-League in mid-December, and players from overseas leagues in late December, when they gather for training in Sydney ahead of the Asian Cup.

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