USS Greeneville Docks in Busan: US Nuclear Sub's 2025 Visit Reinforces South Korea Alliance

A U.S. nuclear-powered attack submarine, the USS Greeneville, arrived at a key naval base in Busan, South Korea, on Tuesday, December 23. According to South Korea's Navy, the visit is for replenishing supplies and providing rest for the crew, but the port call also serves as a potent symbol of the enduring military alliance between Washington and Seoul.

A Show of Cooperative Strength

The Los Angeles-class submarine entered the naval base in Busan, located some 330 kilometers southeast of the capital, Seoul. In a statement released to Yonhap news agency, the South Korean Navy highlighted the visit's strategic importance. "The Navy plans to boost exchanges and cooperation between the navies of South Korea and the United States and strengthen our combined defense posture on the occasion of the USS Greeneville's entry," it said.

Deterrence Amid Regional Tensions

While such port calls are part of regular military operations, the presence of high-value U.S. assets in the region is closely watched. The arrival is seen as a tangible element of Washington's 'extended deterrence' commitment to South Korea—a pledge to defend its ally using the full range of its military capabilities. These deployments aim to reassure allies and serve as a clear message of deterrence to potential adversaries, particularly North Korea, which typically views such military movements as provocative.