Robert Kim, a former U.S. naval officer, convicted of espionage for his native South Korea, was set free Tuesday.

Kim's release came two months before his seven-and-a-half year prison term was to expire.

The 64-year-old Kim will still be confined to his Ashburn, Virginia house for two more months followed by a three-year parole period, during which time he will be kept under close surveillance by U.S. authorities.

Following his release, Kim told South Korea's Yonhap News Agency that although he feels like he has been freed, a burden remains because he is not completely free yet. He also thanked the South Korean people for their support over the years.

The naturalized American citizen was found guilty in 1997 of passing classified information on North Korea to South Korean diplomats in Washington.