Obama`s Term to Begin at Noon Jan. 20

Barack Obama will officially begin his term as U.S. president at noon Jan. 20 in Washington, DC, according to the 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

This is why his inauguration ceremony is scheduled for noon the same day. Though the swearing-in of the president will be delayed and held after noon due to events held prior to the ceremony, his term will be considered to have started at noon.

In Korea, the term of the new president starts at midnight the day when the outgoing president’s term ends.

The U.S. President-elect customarily stays in the Blair House, the official presidential guest quarters across the street from the White House, on the eve of the inauguration.

Obama, who came to Washington early because his two daughters changed schools, reportedly moved to the Blair House yesterday.

mungchii@donga.com