The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations says Washington is waiting for South Korea to lead efforts to refer North Korea’s sinking of the “Cheonan” ship to the U.N. Security Council.

Susan Rice told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York on Tuesday that South Korea has indicated that it will bring the issue to the attention of the Security Council at the appropriate time. She added that Washington will await South Korea's decision as to when and how it will do so.

Rice said that when Seoul reaches a decision on the matter, the U.S. will work not only with South Korea, but with other partners on the Security Council, to determine the appropriate form and content of a response.