Mourning, Healing, and Integration... The Reconstruction of Quarantine and Economy Has Begun

Arrived in Washington DC by plane... 400,000 COVID-19 deaths
Focus on quarantine and vaccination... Urgent need to restore trust in economy and international community

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondents Baek Jong-min and Park Byung-hee] President-elect Joe Biden is expected to emphasize "unity" as his inaugural message. Ahead of the inauguration, Biden showed his intention to heal the pain experienced by American society by honoring the 400,000th death from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

◆First step in Washington DC is mourning COVID-19 victims= On the afternoon of the 19th (local time), Biden departed from his home state of Delaware and arrived in Washington DC, where he will spend the next four years. Before leaving, Biden expressed gratitude to his hometown. He gave a speech at a facility named after his late son Beau, shedding tears and drawing the attention of cameras.

The first official event related to the inauguration was a memorial for the 400,000 COVID-19 deaths in the United States. Immediately after arriving in Washington DC, Biden observed a moment of silence while looking at the lake in front of the Lincoln Memorial, where 400 lights were lit to honor the 400,000 victims. At this event, Biden emphasized, "We must remember, even though it is difficult, for healing. This is how we come together as a nation to heal." Vice President-elect Kamala Harris also stated, "Tonight, we mourn together and begin healing. Our bodies may be different, but the spirit of Americans is united."

On the day of the inauguration, Biden plans to deliver an active message of unity. On the morning of the 20th, the day of the inauguration, Biden will visit St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington DC. He invited Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, and Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader, as well as Republican leaders Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader, and Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader. This is a public message seeking unity in the political arena, which had been deeply divided during the Donald Trump administration. U.S. media report that the theme of Biden's inaugural address will also focus on unity.

The significantly scaled-down inauguration ceremony will be held under strict security. Biden's decision to fly to Washington DC instead of taking his usual train was a measure considering security risks. Under the guard of 25,000 National Guard troops, access to the Capitol and areas near the White House was effectively restricted to the public.

President-elect Joe Biden and his wife (right) and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband are seen on the 19th (local time) looking at the pond in front of the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, as 400 lights are lit to commemorate the 400,000 victims who died from COVID-19. Washington, DC (USA) = AFP·Yonhap News

◆Numerous challenges= The challenges facing Biden are more difficult than those faced by then-President Barack Obama, who took office on January 20, 2009, amid the ruins of the global financial crisis triggered by the bankruptcy of investment bank Lehman Brothers.

Biden must first focus on COVID-19 prevention. So far, the death toll exceeds 400,000, and confirmed cases surpass 24 million. Biden has promised to administer 100 million vaccine doses within the first 100 days of his administration as part of an active COVID-19 response.

The U.S. economy, shaken by the COVID-19 crisis, also needs to be corrected immediately. Before the pandemic, the U.S. unemployment rate was 3.5%, but it surged to 6.7% in December last year. Biden proposed a $1.9 trillion (approximately 2,100 trillion KRW) epidemic control and economic stimulus budget plan named the "American Rescue Plan" to Congress. It must be quickly legislated with bipartisan cooperation from the Republican Party. Investment bank Goldman Sachs expects the Biden administration to push for an additional $1.1 trillion (approximately 1,213 trillion KRW) stimulus package within the first quarter of this year.

Restoring trust in the international community is also urgent. President Trump pursued "America First" policies and withdrew from various international agreements. He withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), and officially exited the Paris Climate Agreement in November last year, drawing strong international criticism.

Biden pledged to rejoin the Paris Agreement as part of his presidential campaign. He promised "Net Zero" greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. He is also expected to restore relations with international organizations such as the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Biden has announced plans to rejoin the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Human Rights Council, from which the Trump administration withdrew.

To this end, it is expected that Biden will revoke various policies implemented by President Trump through a series of executive orders immediately after the inauguration.