President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE plans to nominate North Korea envoy Stephen Biegun to serve as deputy secretary of State, the White House announced Thursday.

If confirmed, Biegun will replace John Sullivan, who is expected to be confirmed to serve as U.S. ambassador to Russia.

Biegun has been at the forefront of U.S. efforts to broker an agreement with Pyongynag to stem its nuclear program, a key priority of Trump’s foreign policy efforts that has seemed to stall in recent months as North Korea has test-fired ballistic missiles.

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Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoWatchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump Trump's push for win with Sudan amps up pressure on Congress Putin nominated for Nobel Peace Prize MORE tapped Biegun to serve as U.S. special representative for North Korea in August 2018. He was brought onto the department shortly after Trump’s first historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un Kim Jong UnNorth Korean leader Kim apologizes over killing of South Korean official Pelosi knocks Trump over refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power Satellite images indicate North Korea preparing for massive military parade MORE in June of last year.

Biegun’s nomination was officially sent to the Senate just minutes after it was announced on Thursday.

The Associated Press reported earlier this week that Trump was expected to select Biegun to serve as deputy secretary of State, a position that is subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Biegun, a former Ford Motor executive, has served in various posts in the executive and legislative branches throughout his career. He served as a senior aide to then-national security adviser Condoleezza Rice under the George W. Bush administration. He also served in various national security advisory and staff posts on House and Senate committees.

Rice endorsed Biegun's nomination, calling him an "excellent choice" and describing him as both a strong diplomat and a seasoned manager.

"Steve Biegun has enormous talent and vast experience in both the public and private sectors," Rice said in a statement provided by the State Department. "Everyone he’s worked with, myself included, has tremendous respect for him as a person, a colleague and a leader.”

The White House said earlier this month that Trump planned to nominate Sullivan to replace outgoing Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman. Sullivan has been in the No. 2 role at State since the days when Rex Tillerson Rex Wayne TillersonGary Cohn: 'I haven't made up my mind' on vote for president in November Kushner says 'Alice in Wonderland' describes Trump presidency: Woodward book Conspicuous by their absence from the Republican Convention MORE headed the department, and his move offered Pompeo the opportunity to weigh in on a deputy of his choice.

The move to elevate Biegun comes as the State Department faces continued scrutiny in connection with the House impeachment inquiry into the Trump administration’s policy on Ukraine.

House Democrats are investigating the circumstances surrounding a July 25 call with Ukraine’s leader during which Trump raised investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenFormer Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick Bloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida MORE and his son, Hunter. A number of career officials and political appointees from the State Department have testified behind closed doors in connection with the inquiry.

Sullivan sat for his confirmation hearing on Wednesday, during which he fielded numerous questions about the impeachment inquiry and Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani Rudy GiulianiThe Hill's Campaign Report: GOP set to ask SCOTUS to limit mail-in voting CIA found Putin 'probably directing' campaign against Biden: report Democrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate MORE’s involvement in an effort to oust the now former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine.