Seoul: Choi Byung-hyuk, a retired four-star Army general and the current ambassador to Saudi Arabia, has been nominated as South Korea's new defense minister. Choi's appointment follows the resignation of Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, which President Yoon Suk Yeol accepted amid controversy over Kim's involvement in an aborted martial law declaration. According to Yonhap News Agency, Choi Byung-hyuk has an extensive military career, having graduated from the Korea Military Academy. His past roles include commander of a security brigade and director of operations at the Capital Defense Command during 2008 and 2009. In 2014, Choi served as the commander of the 22nd Division of the Army and held several significant positions such as director of the Army's inspection office, commander of the 5th Army Corps, and the Army's vice chief of staff. Choi reached the rank of four-star general in April 2019 and subsequently served as the deputy commander of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command until September 2 020. In December 2023, President Yoon appointed him as the ambassador to Saudi Arabia, demonstrating trust in his leadership and strategic capabilities.