Meet the 'danger tourist' who has travelled to some of the most dangerous countries in the world - including Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Ukraine.

Callum Mills, 32, enjoys visiting places where there is a higher element of risk such as active war zones or political instability.

The intrepid traveller has met drugs lords, the Taliban, stood on Saddam Hussein's Palace and had dinner with gang members in Brazil.

He saw a Banksy original wall mural in the West Bank in Palestine and visited Osama Bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

He has even met Pablo Escobar's brother Roberto Escobar while on a trip in Medellin, Colombia.

Callum is now planning his next trip - to North Korea.

He says he became "addicted" with danger tourism after exploring the most obscure places in Egypt during Covid.

Since then, the adrenaline junkie from Coatbridge in Scotland has been to countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Ukraine.

And has even met Pablo Escobar's brother Roberto Escobar while on a trip in Medellin, Colombia.

But Callum says it is not the danger that fascinates him as all his trips are about connecting with different cultures and meeting new people.

He said: "It is hard for people to understand this - it does become an addiction you seek the adventure and that feeling of being on edge.

“Their representation is always negative - I wanted to go there and connect with people locally.

“I like to roam about and see what happens. I would always buy a one day flight. I like to get to the more obscure places that are not touristy.

“I've been asked this many times – about how I get to see some of the things that I do. I always say, 'I just speak to people'.''

“There have been incredible people who I've spoken to, with some people teaching me a lot about things.

“Getting to visit all these countries, people and areas has delivered a better education than school ever did.”

Callum - also known as Callum Abroad on YouTube - was in his second year of nursing degree at the University of the West of Scotland when the coronavirus pandemic hit.

As his classes were being cancelled and he could not attend university he decided to check what flights were available from Scotland.

He said: "The longer I spent at home the more restless I became.

"The only flight I could take was Cairo in Egypt - and I never looked back I just kept doing.

"It wasn't because I had a keen interest in Cairo. I wanted to see something a bit different - not just the pyramids.

"I decided to go to “Garbage City” as the locals call it. It didn’t go well with the locals - I was told I was going to be attacked.

"I found it pretty interesting - they go round the city and collect all the garbage before taking it back to their community to be sorted."

After the first trip at the age of 28 he never went back to university as the more he travelled the more people were interested in what he was doing.

The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to North Korea - but Callum is "desperate" to go.

The country ruled by the Kim family since 1948 and has been widely condemned for human rights violations.

Callum said: "I am prepared for any backlash I get and I want to see it with my own eyes.

"Nobody in the West was allowed in for five years. I wanna see the capital. It’s a chance to speak to a North Korean - it would be great if I could do it.

"I understand that it will be a challenge and I can take that on board - I am aware of the hardships people in North Korea face.

"I know some people might think that it’s wrong to travel to North Korea however as someone who’s got a desire to travel and see the world, I would hope people can understand that.

"It’s like when a car has a bump on the motorway, people tend to slow down and look because they are curious."

But Callum admits he doubts this will be possible in North Korea due to the strict guided nature of the tours.

He said: "I think when you go to these countries you have to follow the rules. Don’t go and break the rules in these countries.

"As long as I conduct myself in a proper manner I am pretty confident.

"It'd be good to have the human perspective and see it with my own eyes."

According to the government the level of tension on the Korean Peninsula remains high.

While daily life in the capital city, Pyongyang, may appear calm, the security situation in North Korea can change quickly with no advance warning about possible actions by the authorities.

This poses significant risks to British visitors and residents, as stated by the Foreign Office.

Information about his travels are at the YouTube at Callum Abroad, as well as on Twitter through his @CallumAbroad account.

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