A U.S.-based NGO late last week sent its first shipment of medical and rehabilitation equipment to Pyongyang via cargo ship from Dalian, China via the harbor city of Nampho, North Korea, the organization's co-founder said.

The equipment for the Ignis Community NGO, which works to support treatment of pediatric developmental disabilities and other spinal conditions, is set to arrive in Pyongyang either this week or the next, where it will be used in the construction of a rehabilitation center.