Four of the victims were hit by the vehicle near a subway station in the commuter town of Seongnam, about 12 miles (20km) south of the capital Seoul.

A white Kia hatchback with a broken front window and ruptured front tyre could be seen on a pavement near the station.

Nine victims were knifed and pictures from the scene also showed forensic officers examining AK Plaza, where the stabbings took place.

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

Police said 12 people had been taken to hospital, but officers did not confirm the condition of the wounded nor whether the person killed was stabbed or run over.

Officers have been questioning an unidentified man suspect in his 20s who was arrested at the scene, said police spokesman Yoon Sung-hyun.

National Police Agency Commissioner General Yoon Hee-keun said Thursday's attack was "virtually an act of terrorism".

Authorities have not said what the motive was for the attack.

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The National Police Agency met regional police chiefs to discuss ways to deal with stabbings and other attacks against random targets.

Officials are considering increasing night-time patrols in leisure districts and other crowded areas and stepping up CCTV surveillance, according to the agency.

It comes just days after a man stabbed at least four pedestrians on a street in the capital, Seoul, killing one person.