China will likely free a jailed Chinese-Dutch businessman as early as next month in response to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's request for his release.

In an interview with Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency, an aide to Chinese businessman Yang Bin said that Kim had asked Chinese President Hu Jintao to release Yang during his secretive visit to China in April.

Yang, the ex-governor of North Korea's Sinuiju Special Administrative Region, was placed under house arrest in October 2002 on suspicion of tax evasion and other economic crimes.