S. Korea plans to deploy supersonic ship-to-ground guided missile

SEOUL, Sept. 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to deploy a short-range supersonic
guided missile as early as next year that can be launched from a destroyer to
attack ground targets, a source said Sunday.
"The missile could be developed and deployed in a year or two so that ships can
hit land facilities and support ground troops in the event of a conflict," the
source said, declining to be named.
"The deployment could add pressure on North Korean forces near the Northern Limit
Line," which has served as a de facto maritime border between the divided Koreas
after their three-year war ended in a truce in 1953, the source said.
The missile will likely be made with a range of 50km first, the source said,
adding the distance will be extended over the course of further development.
"Study is underway to determine whether the missile should be indigenously
developed or purchased from overseas," the source said. "The decision will be
made as early as next month."
South Korean destroyers, including the country's only Aegis combat ship, carry
anti-vessel guided missiles with a range of 150km, which could be the prototype
for the planned new missile, according to the source.
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