The U.S. government says it's working with members of the six-party nuclear talks to use their influence with North Korea to stop Pyongyang from launching a long-range rocket this month.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters on Monday that in particular, the U.S. is encouraging China to act more effectively in persuading the North to scrap the launch.

Nuland said actions such as launching a rocket or conducting a nuclear test are only going to further isolate the North and make it harder for the North "to be part of the world community and to give their people a better quality of life.”

U.S. media are closely watching for any developments in the North regarding its planned rocket launch, with any signs of the North’s preparations making headlines.