Even with such a fearsome concentration of firepower on both sides and untold amounts of unexploded ordnance underneath, the Korean DMZ is probably one of the less risky stop-off points in Mairead Maguire’s long journey as a peace campaigner.

Now back in Northern Ireland, the honorary co-chair of WomenCross DMZ can add North Korea to a list of hot spots that includes Afghanistan, Iran, the West Bank and Syria.