President Roh Moo-hyun sent a video message on Wednesday to congratulate the World Korean Business Convention, which kicked off on Tuesday on the southern resort island of Jeju.

In the message, President Roh called South Korean businesspeople important economic pillars and asked for continued and increased contributions to the nation's economy.

Roh also expressed optimism on the future of the economy, despite its current domestic and foreign difficulties.

This year's 3-day convention, which gathers Korean businesspeople from around the world, boasts the event's biggest size ever, with 108 companies and some one thousand-300 participants from 43 countries in attendance.