A STUDENT who had his teeth smashed in an alleged racist attack has welcomed the support of a fundraising campaign to help pay for his dental treatment.

University of Sussex student Yehsung Kim was on his way home from a South Korean Society meeting on Sunday night when he was confronted by a group and attacked with a wine bottle.

Mr Kim, 20, was assaulted in North Street, Brighton, just a few minutes’ walk from his home in Ship Street.

The incident was filmed by a passer-by.

A crowdfunding page set up online to raise money for his dental treatment has already raised more than £1,700.

Mr Kim, who is from South Korea, said: “I am really happy that people are supporting me.

“So many people have come forward to wish me well and ask how I am doing.

“It is still painful as I have had limited treatment but hopefully I can sort that out soon.

“I have contacted the police again and they have asked me to write up a full statement about the attack.

“I am still considering going back to South Korea for treatment but I have not got my passport at the moment so I need to get permission from the Home Office.

“I am still not sure exactly how much it will cost to start medical treatment but I am very grateful for people’s help.”

The video footage showing Mr Kim being hit with a large wine bottle in the face went viral after it was posted on social media.

He said when the bottle was thrown at him he asked the boy why he had done it. The response was, “Because you are ******* Asian”.

The group also allegedly made racist gestures at him, and made monkey noises.

Detective Inspector Simon Morgan, of Sussex Police, said: "We want to hear from anyone who saw the assault, which happened in busy North Street and also anyone who saw a group of youths acting aggressively at this location or in Churchill Square on Sunday night."

Chief Inspector Chris Veale added: "We are treating this as a hate crime as we believe the victim was targeted due to his ethnicity. Brighton is a welcoming diverse city and we are appalled at this attack on this young man. Such incidents can cause significant distress to victims and local communities es and I would like to reassure those affected that we take this type of crime extremely seriously and are doing all we can to identify and arrest the suspect.”

Enquiries are ongoing and anyone who saw what happened can report it online or call police on 101 quoting serial 1481 of 15/10.

To donate to help pay for Mr Kim’s treatment visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/brightonracistattack.