U.S. President Barack Obama says that despite some contentious issues, it is necessary to strike a trade deal with South Korea in a way that can serve American workers and industries.

Obama said in a speech at the APEC CEO Summit in Japan that the conclusion of trade negotiations with South Korea would help create thousands of jobs and increase exports by billions of dollars in the U.S.

He is visiting Japan to attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting that opens in Yokohama Saturday.

The U.S. president said that he would be watching if the two countries can reach an agreement. He added that he’s pleased with President Lee Myung-bak’s proposal to dispatch a negotiating team to Washington for the conclusion of the trade talks.