By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff reporter
Investigators of the sinking of the warship Cheonan will present their results to 15 members of the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) this week at the earliest, according to a government official Wednesday.
A group of about 10 South Korean experts, led by chief investigator Yoon Duk-yong, left Seoul to make the presentation, Kim Young-sun, the official said on condition of anonymity.
The closed-door briefing could take place today at the earliest.
Last week, Seoul requested the UNSC to investigate the case and come up with appropriate international measures against North Korea.
The international team concluded last month that a North Korean submarine torpedoed the 1,200-ton frigate Cheonan near the West Sea border on March 26, claiming the lives of 46 sailors.
The source said it requested the UNSC to allow the team to present their findings to permanent and non-permanent members of council after requesting the approval from the rotating president.
Mexican Ambassador to the United Nations Claude Heller, who holds the presidency for June, gave the green light for the briefing.
The official did not rule out the possibility that some of foreign experts, who participated in the probe, will join the presentation at the UNSC.
China holds the key to any UNSC move as it is a veto-holding permanent member of the international security body. Beijing, the closest ally of Pyongyang, has not clarified its position on the issue.