NEW YORK (AP) - A New York City businessman held in South Korea since February on charges he violated that country’s national security law has been released on bail.

Song Hak-sam, 56, a naturalized American citizen, was freed May 17 on approximately $9,000 bail, "but must stay within Korean territory" pending his trial, said Seo Kang-soo, a spokesman for the South Korean consul in New York City.

Seo said Song’s trial was scheduled to resume May 17. He did not say whether the bail amount was typical.

Song is charged for his role in publishing a controversial book that allegedly praised communist North Korea and its leader, Kim Jong-il. He was arrested in late February for allegedly violating the country’s National Security Law, which bans "praising or expressing open sympathy" for North Korea.