In this Jan 23, 2019 file photo, Suh Wook, then chief director of operations at the Republic of Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks during a press conference at the Defense Ministry in Seoul. (LEE JI-EUN/YONHAP VIA AP)

SEOUL - South Korean President Moon Jae-in nominated Army Chief of Staff Suh Wook as the new defense minister, the presidential Blue House said on Friday.

The Moon government's first defense minister was Song Young-moo, a retired Navy admiral, while Jeong was former Air Force head

Blue House spokesman Kang Min-seok told a press briefing that the 57-year-old general had ample experience in field maneuvers and military operations while understanding the security philosophy of the current government.

After a parliamentary confirmation hearing, Suh would replace the current Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo.

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If appointed, Suh would become the first defense chief with an Army background under the Moon administration.

The Moon government's first defense minister was Song Young-moo, a retired Navy admiral, while Jeong was former Air Force head.

Suh was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1985 after graduating from the Korea Military Academy.

He served at the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command (CFC) between 2011 and 2014, before commanding the 25th Infantry Division and the 1st Corps.

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Then, he became the chief director of operations at the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and began in April 2019 to lead the Army.