Unidentified gunmen attacked South Korea's embassy in the Libyan capital Tripoli on Sunday and killed two security guards, Seoul's foreign ministry said.

The group fired dozens of rounds at the embassy compound from a passing vehicle, leaving two Libyan guards dead and another injured, it said.

Three South Koreans working in the embassy -- including two diplomats -- were unhurt, a ministry official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"We do not know whether the attack targeted the embassy or the Libyan (security) officers," the official said, adding the ministry was considering evacuating all its staffers from the country.

Militias which fought to topple Moamer Kadhafi's regime in 2011 often carry out kidnappings or attacks targeting foreign diplomats in the Libyan capital.

The country has been awash with weapons since the end of the uprising that killed Kadhafi and has been gripped by increasing lawlessness.