![[바이든 취임 D-3] Washington is reminiscent of’martial law’](https://newsimg.hankookilbo.com/cms/articlerelease/2021/01/17/26949195-c9cc-4fbf-b49a-450deba6f8ac.jpg?t=20210117180717 "[바이든 취임 D-3] Washington is reminiscent of’martial law’")
Blocking most of the streets in the city, virtually blocking the city
25,000 State Defense Forces deployed… High tension
On the 16th, four days before the inauguration of US President Joe Biden, the National Guard mobilized to strengthen security is passing in front of the Washington Capitol. Washington = AP Yonhap News
As the inauguration ceremony of US President-elect Joe Biden approached the nose, martial law was in effect in the capital Washington. Most of the entry roads have been blocked, and even near the inauguration hall, 10,000 state defense forces are spreading the water-tight boundary. Washington’s tensions are at its peak due to the aftermath of the intrusion of the Capitol on the 6th (local time).
The US media reported on the 16th that “Washington was virtually blocked” with an unprecedented level of security. The National Mall in front of the Capitol, where hundreds of thousands of people flocked to celebrate the future of the new president four years ago, has already been cut off. Public access is not allowed until the 21st, the day after the inauguration ceremony, as well as 13 nearby subway stations. The four main bridges leading to the city are also scheduled to be controlled for 48 hours from 6 am on the 19th. In addition, Airbnb, a lodging sharing company, canceled all reservations for accommodation in Washington during the week of inauguration.
The Department of Defense plans to deploy as many as 25,000 National Guard troops throughout Washington. It is more than three times the size of the number of 8,000 people mobilized at the inauguration ceremony of President Donald Trump in 2017. On that day, 10,000 troops had already arrived in Washington, and the Ministry of Defense explained that it would gradually increase the number of personnel deployed until the day of the inauguration ceremony.
Concerns about violence aimed at the inauguration ceremony are not limited to Washington. The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) requested each state government to prepare after receiving information that there was a possibility of simultaneous violence in all areas before and after Biden took office. According to CNN, the US usually withdrew mailboxes or blocked entrances across Washington to block the risk of explosives before the inauguration ceremony, but similar measures have been taken in 20 other cities this year. The 2020 presidential race contestants are particularly tense. Pennsylvania even erected barriers around the Capitol, and the Michigan state legislature canceled the meeting itself before or after taking office.
The daily Washington Post was relieved that “the 16th was peaceful except for small protests.” However, as far-rights armed at the 50 state capitols until the inauguration ceremony in Michigan on the 17th are scheduled for marches and demonstrations, tensions cannot be slowed down. In fact, on the evening of the 15th, a man in his 30s who tried to enter the Washington Capitol with an unregistered pistol and 500 live ammunition in a truck was arrested. Fortunately, there were no suspicions, and he was released after receiving an order to restrain access to Washington. The man, who introduced himself as an employee of a private security company, is known to have clarified, “I left the house without knowing that the car had a pistol and got lost.”
Four days before the inauguration of US President Joe Biden, an official prepares for the event in front of the Washington Capitol on the 16th. Washington = AP Yonhap News
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