U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday nominated Daniel Russel, a senior White House official, as his new point man on East Asia.

Picking the career diplomat for the post, which requires a Senate confirmation hearing, was widely expected.

If confirmed, Russel will serve as assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs.

Announcing his decision, Obama said Russel both brings "a depth of experience and tremendous dedication" to his new role.

State Department officials welcomed the nomination of Russel, who joined the department in 1985 and has since handled mostly Asia-related issues.

"He really understands the importance of South Korea being in lockstep with the U.S.," a senior department official told Yonhap News Agency on background.

Russel also understands that South Korea needs to take the initiative in dealing with the North Korea issue, the official added in a phone interview.

"He has been quite supportive of South-North (Korea) dialogue and he also understands history issues (in the region) and related backgrounds," the official said.

Russel has been in charge of the Obama administration's rebalancing toward Asia. He also handled preparations for the summit talks between Obama and his South Korean counterpart Park Geun-hye.

Joe Yun, a Korean-born official, has been serving as acting assistant secretary since Kurt Campbell left the position in February.

Russel has been working as senior director for Asian affairs at the White House National Security Council (NSC).

He was the director for Japan, South Korea and North Korea at the NSC from 2009 to 2011.

Before joining the NSC, Russel was director of the Office of Japanese Affairs at the Department of State. (Yonhap news)