The U.S. Senate has confirmed Xavier T. Brunson as the new commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), promoting the Army officer to general and tasking him with countering North Korea’s growing nuclear threat.

Brunson’s appointment as commander of USFK, U.N. Command and Combined Forces Command was part of a mass confirmation of over 6,000 military leaders on Wednesday and came two weeks after President Joe Biden nominated him to lead the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea. 

“I am aware of the threats South Korea faces and fully understand my role, if confirmed, in ensuring a constant state of