The outgoing commanding general of the United States' Eighth Army stationed in South Korea was awarded an order of merit Monday for his contributions to national security, the Defense Ministry said.

South Korea's Defense Minister Han Min-koo conferred the Gukseon Medal upon Lt. Gen. Bernard Champoux, the second highest of the five-level Order of National Merit, according to the ministry. 

"Since taking office as the commander of the U.S. Eighth Army in June 2013, he has greatly contributed to safeguarding peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula by dealing with various provocations from North Korea, including two nuclear tests and provocative acts in the demilitarized zone," the ministry said in a statement.

South Korea has also recognized Champoux's contributions to many other recent alliance decisions, including a plan to delay the transfer of the Washington-held wartime operational control of South Korean forces back to Seoul and the relocation of the U.S. Forces Korea's headquarters from Seoul to the southern city of Pyeongtaek, it added.

Champoux will be replaced by Maj. Gen. Thomas Vandal after a change of command ceremony set for Tuesday. (Yonhap)