SEOUL (Reuters) -A man in a South Korean commuter town rammed his car into passers-by on Thursday then got out and stabbed some, killing one person and injuring another 12, police and media said.

The unexplained attack in the commuter town of Seongnam near the capital Seoul came days after another rare stabbing attack which killed one person and wounded three others.

Police said Thursday’s assailant was arrested after apparently hitting people randomly. Media reports described him as a man in his 20s with a delivery job and suffering from some mental health issues.

The attack occurred near Seohyeon station, an area about 20 km (12 miles) from Seoul that has a large department store and other shops and where many commuters live.

Police said 12 people were in hospital – nine stabbed and four hit by the car.

A man in his 60s died, Newsis news agency reported.

At the taped-off scene, police stood guard and blood stains could be seen on the floor.

Police Commissioner General Yoon Hee-keun warned South Koreans to be on guard for such attacks and urged officials to be vigilant and look out for copycat crimes.

(Reporting by Hyonhee ShinEditing by Bernadette Baum and Andrwe Cawthorne)

A policeman stands next to a scene where, according to media reports, nine people have been stabbed and four others hurt by a car driven by the suspected attacker in Seongnam, South Korea, August 3, 2023. Yonhap via REUTERS

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Rescue workers are seen at a scene where, according to media reports, nine people have been stabbed and four others hurt by a car driven by the suspected attacker in Seongnam, South Korea, August 3, 2023. Yonhap via REUTERS

YONHAP NEWS AGENCY

Policemen examine a scene where, according to media reports, nine people have been stabbed and four others hurt by a car driven by the suspected attacker in Seongnam, South Korea, August 3, 2023. Yonhap via REUTERS

YONHAP NEWS AGENCY