As South Korea and the U.S. are simultaneously holding a series of talks on various economic agendas,... President Trump appears to be threatening to pull American troops out of Korea,... IF he doesn't get his way on trade with Seoul.
Lee Seung-jae reports.

The Washington Post has obtained an audio recording of President Trump at a recent fundraiser... where the U.S. leader can be heard saying that the United States is losing money on trade with South Korea.
He says,... "We lose money on trade,... and we lose money on the military. We have right now 32,000 soldiers between North and South Korea,.. Let's see what happens."
His hardline stance on trade comes at a sensitive time,... as the allies are prepping for planned summits with North Korea over its nuclear program.
And the report suggests President Trump may use the U.S. troops issue to pressure South Korea over trade issues.
However, in an effort to dispel confusion over Trump's remarks,... a White House official stated that the president "did not suggest removing American forces from South Korea" but that his administration remains committed to improving the South Korea-U.S. trade relationship for the benefit of American workers.
Meanwhile, a day after the recording surfaced,... the admiral in charge of U.S. Pacific Command warned such a move would be viewed as a win for North Korea.
Admiral Harry Harris, who set to retire his year and is President Trump's pick to be the next U.S. ambassador to Australia said "Kim Jong-un would do a victory dance" if American troops were indeed pulled out.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.