A man has been arrested after a car smashed into the gates of the US Embassy in South Korea.

The driver may have been a North Korean defector seeking asylum in the States, according to unconfirmed reports.

Images from the scene show the smashed up vehicle after it ploughed into the gates in Seoul.

A man has been arrested after this silver car smashed into the gates of the US Embassy in South Korea

Police confirmed they'd arrested the driver, thought to be in his late 40s, but revealed he was not under the influence of alcohol. Pictured: Security guards surround the smashed up vehicle outside the building in Seoul

The driver may have been a North Korean defector seeking asylum, according to reports

Police confirmed they'd arrested a man, thought to be in his late 40s, following a crash that happened at around 7.15pm.

South Korean police told ABC News the driver was not drunk but declined to share further details about the incident. The investigation is ongoing.

A woman who was in the passenger seat of the car was reportedly transported to a local hospital.

A woman who was in the passenger seat of the car was reportedly transported to a local hospital

According to Korea Times, the man had been driving around Gwanghwamun when he suddenly turned toward the embassy.

Tests showed the driver was not intoxicated, police said.

Unverified reports claim he fell out of the vehicle before shouting 'help me' several times.

This image appears to show crowds gathered outside the embassy in Seoul

The building is heavily policed. Pictured: Officers stand guard during a rally by anti-Trump protesters last month

Another picture from the scene shows huge crowds gathering near the vehicle.

Yonhap News TV reports that at least one person has been injured in the collision, but it's unknown if there are any more casualties.

There is no suggestion that the incident is terror related.