The government has confirmed that a South Korean press photographer working for U.S.-based Time magazine has been released after 15 hours of captivity by Islamic militants in Iraq.

The Foreign Ministry confirmed Sunday that the journalist, identified by his surname Cho, was kidnapped in Baghdad by elements of the insurgent Mahdi Army at around 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Korean time, and released around 7 a.m. Sunday.

The ministry said the man was abducted as he was returning to his office after covering events in the Iraqi capital. The armed militants reportedly released Cho after confirming the Korean journalist's press credentials.

The ministry said it learned of the journalist's abduction and release after Cho reported the incident to the South Korean Embassy in Iraq.