A source in Libya says authorities there called in for questioning representatives from South Korean companies operating in the African country two weeks prior to Libya’s deportation of a South Korean intelligence official accused of espionage.

The source says the company representatives were questioned in June about whether there were any illegal activities, including bribes, taking place associated with business deals signed by the Korean companies with Libyan firms.

The source said that all Korean companies with a presence in Libya were subject to the summons.

The Libyans have yet to clarify detailed reasons for the summons, leading onlookers to speculate that the move was related to the diplomatic friction that resulted from Libya’s deportation of the South Korean intelligence official in June.

The official of the National Intelligence Service was sent to work at the South Korean Embassy in Libya and was kicked out from the country on June 18th for alleged attempts to obtain information about key members of the Libyan government.