SEOUL. Dec 11 South Korean prosecutors today detained a security advisor to former President Roh Tae-Woo as part of a widening corruption investigation into military contracts, witnesses said

Kim Chong-whie was detained upon arrival at Seoul-Kimpo airport from the United States, where he had stayed for more than two years to avoid arrest.

Kim went to the United States in 1893 after prosecutors sought him on graft charges relating to arms deals. Including a 1992 contract to buy 12 CN-235M military transport planes from Spain.

He is suspected of having played a key role in the award of a controversial 1991 deal to buy 120 F-16 Jet fighters from US giant General Dynamics Corp (GD).

Prosecutors have questioned former military leaders over suspicions that the US firm bribed Roh to win the fighter deal. Roh already in Jail on graft charges, is suspected of taking bribes from GD and other arms suppliers.

Roh was indicted last week on charges of amassing a 650-million dollar slush fund. But he has been silent over accusations that some of the bribes were kept in secret overseas bank accounts.

Prosecutors believe Roh may have a separate secret fund on top of the 650 million dollars he admitted to keeping while office from 1988 to 1993.