South Korean President Lee Jae Myung nominated retired four-star Gen. Kang Shin-chul as defense minister, putting a former deputy commander of the U.S.-ROK Combined Forces Command (CFC) potentially in charge as Seoul prepares for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) and key decisions on its defense posture toward North Korea.

Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said Sunday the nominee would “strengthen South Korea’s self-reliant defense capabilities to prepare for future warfare based on a strong ROK-U.S. alliance” and move quickly on defense innovations, including plans to integrate the military academies.

If confirmed, 58-year-old Kang will replace Ahn Gyu-back,