For those who follow the Chinese Zodiac, 2009 is the year of the Ox:

The year 2009 is the Year of the Ox, according to Chinese astrology. The ox is the second animal in the zodiac and often associated with honesty, faithfulness, strength and gentleness.

But it also sometimes represents stupidity and stubbornness. The animal was an indispensable asset for Korean agriculture, as it was used to plow the soil here day after day. As such, ox people are believed to labor through their daily responsibilities either at work or at home without complaint.

The basic character of oxen is success through hard work and sustained effort, finding no benefit in concocting get-rich-quick schemes.  [Korea Times]

Is there a more fitting Zodiac animal to represent 2009 then the ox?  I say this because only hard work and sustained effort which the ox represents is what is going to get both the US and South Korea out of the current economic mess that all the get rich quick schemers out there caused in the first place.