SEOUL, Aug 3 (CNA) - Nine people were stabbed and four others hurt by a car driven by the suspected attacker in the South Korean commuter town of Seongnam near the capital Seoul, police said on Thursday (Aug 3).

At least one victim in the stabbing incident died.

One person has been arrested, police said in a statement.

The attack occurred near Seohyeon station, an area about 20km from Seoul that has a large department store and other shops and where many commuters live.

Police said 12 of the victims had been hospitalised.

Unverified images of Thursday's attack showed what appeared to be a floor stained with blood drops and at least one emergency medical helicopter on site.

One person was killed and three wounded in another stabbing attack in the South Korean capital on July 21.

Seongnam is an affluent satellite city of Seoul and Bundang district, where the incident occurred, generally has a reputation for safe streets and residential neighbourhoods, but the two stabbings triggered concern online.

"The attack (near the) Seohyeon station is really terrifying," a netizen wrote on Twitter, which is being rebranded as X.

"How can we feel safe and comfortable going outside with incidents like this happening?"