The forthcoming deployment of the long-range Haeseong II supersonic, ship-launched, land attack cruise missile has given a massive boost to the confidence of the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) it can destroy North Korea's ballistic missile mobile launchers, as well as fixed installations for these missiles.

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Haeseong II, also called the Tactical Surface Launch Missile (TSLM), will be deployed aboard the ROKN's newest frigates and destroyers beginning 2019. The 500 kilometer range of this maneuvering LACM means it can destroy a mobile or fixed ballistic missile site anywhere in North Korea by inundating these sites with hundreds of explosive and incendiary cluster bomblets.

The arrival of Haeseong II will enable the ROKN to enhance its ability to smash land targets with increased accuracy.

"(The ROK Navy) is now able to strike an enemy's main (military) bases and key facilities, including a ballistic launch system on the ground, from the sea," said Lee Sang-moon, head of the Guided Weapon Development Department of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

"The tactical ship-to-surface guided missile 'dramatically improves' the (ROK Navy's) ability to respond to the North's provocations."

Using the "Kill Chain Preemptive Strike System" (one of the pillars of South Korea's national defense system against North Korea), South Korea can launch a preemptive strike against North Korea's nuclear and missile facilities within 30 minutes if faced by an imminent threat.

The Haeseong II was also designed to be fired from legacy slant launchers aboard ROKN warships such as the Incheon-class frigates, and from the new vertical launching system (VLS) arming its newer warships such as the next generation Daegu-class multi-role frigate.

Haeseong II can be used against North Korean ballistic missile installations and mobile missile launchers. It can also destroy light armored or soft-skinned vehicles such as and support vehicles, according South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). A unique feature of Haeseong II is its ability to re-directed to a new target while in flight in real time.