South Korea has successfully developed its own supersonic cruise missile, Haesong II, senior defense officials announced on Monday.

With the latest defense technology development in South Korea, the government is now confident in repelling rival North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity due to a lack of authority to speak, a senior defense official of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration told media the Haesong II is more accurate in penetrating and crushing North Korean's defense system and military launching pads with target range of more than 500 kilometers. The missile can also preempt any attacks by North Korea.

"The Haesong II is a ship-to-surface cruise missile, designed to strike ground targets," the Korea Times quoted a liaison official between the South Korean and the U.S. governments.

"Korea has been independently developing it without technology transfer from the United States, but has been closely consulting with Washington in accordance with the New Missile Guidelines agreed between the two allies," the Korea Times continued quoting the official as saying.

When asked whether the supersonic missile will be exported for commercial use, the official was quick to answer it will not leave South Korea because the country is a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime, which forbids members from exporting missiles and unmanned air vehicles (UAV).

Gathered reports from AFP said the United States' Embassy classified Haesong II as an unmanned air vehicle because of its sophisticated and built-in control and guidance system, but at the same time, it is also a cruise missile because it is a one-time deployment ammunition.

A U.S. cable released by WikiLeaks revealed South Korea initiated 10 missile tests for Haesong II from Sep 2007 to Nov 2009, at the Anheung testing ground in the coastal city of Taean, located in the southern part of the Chungcheong Province.

The Korea Times reported an unnamed source commented the supersonic missile will commence operating by 2013.