The United States is moving a Navy strike group toward the Korean Peninsula amid rising concerns over North Korea's weapons program, the Navy said in a statement on Saturday.

The Navy's Carl Vinson strike group left Singapore on Saturday and will move into the Western Pacific Ocean near the Korean Peninsula.

A U.S. official told Reuters that the move is intended to put pressure on North Korea to curb its recent weapons tests.

"We feel the increased presence is necessary," the official said.

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North Korea has conducted a number of weapons tests this year. The hermit kingdom on Tuesday launched a Scud missile, which went only a short distance before crashing into the sea east of the Korean Peninsula.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un Kim Jong UnSouth Korea warns of underwater missile test launch by North Korea Trump says he didn't share classified information following Woodward book The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Woodward book revelations rock Washington MORE has indicated that the country could test an intercontinental ballistic missile at any time.

President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE met with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where Trump reportedly urged Xi to take a tougher stance on North Korea.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Rex Wayne TillersonGary Cohn: 'I haven't made up my mind' on vote for president in November Kushner says 'Alice in Wonderland' describes Trump presidency: Woodward book Conspicuous by their absence from the Republican Convention MORE has said that military action against North Korea is an "option," though Trump's national security aides have stressed economic sanctions.

Trump spoke by phone with acting South Korean President Hwang Kyo-ahn on Saturday, agreeing to "stay in close touch regarding North Korea," according to a White House statement.