North Korea says it will defend itself at the U.N. against the accusation that it fired a torpedo that sank the South Korean naval warship “Cheonan.”

According to diplomatic sources at the U.N., North Korea asked for the opportunity to explain its stance in regards to the Cheonan sinking at the U.N. Security Council.

Pyongyang made the request Friday in an email sent to Mexico, which holds the rotating presidency of the U.N. Security Council.

The communist country will be given the chance to have the floor immediately after South Korea delivers a briefing on the “Cheonan” incident at the U.N. in New York at 4 a.m. Tuesday (KST).