Red Cross warns of rising global conflicts with 'Wars Have Limits' exhibition in Seoul
People attend a reception event for the "Wars Have Limits" exhibition in the lobby of the Seoul Museum of History, June 4. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
By Bereket Alemayehu
Marking the 60th anniversary of Korea’s accession to the Geneva Conventions, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) opened a special exhibition, "Wars Have Limits," in the lobby of the Seoul Museum of History, on May 15.
Displaying the history of the Geneva Conventions and the humanitarian efforts of the Red Cross during the 1950-53 Korean War, the exhibition highlights the grave dangers posed by modern warfare technologies and examines the challenges they present to international humanitarian law, particularly with the emergence of drones, artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous weapons.
While humanitarian needs are growing as wars continue to devastate lives around the world, the resources that can help affected populations are shrinking fast. As the world grapples with rising conflicts, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on a principle the entire world has agreed on — that even in war, there are limits.
At a reception event on June 4, David Quesne, head of the ICRC mission in Seoul, said that there are currently over 130 conflicts worldwide, more than double the number 15 years ago. "Of these, more than 20 conflicts are enduring for over two decades," he said. "The cost of these trends is a horrific scale of human suffering. However, humanitarian funding to help the affected population are under growing strain.”
David Quesne, center, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross mission in Seoul, introduces the "Wars Have Limits" exhibition during a reception in the lobby of the Seoul Museum of History, June 4. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
Quesne expressed concern over widespread violations of international humanitarian law despite the universal acceptance of the Geneva Conventions. He pointed to civilian casualties, attacks on hospitals and schools, deliberate targeting of humanitarian workers and restrictions on humanitarian aid as examples of conduct prohibited under international law.
“We witness a harrowing litany of violations — children, women and men killed indiscriminately, hospitals and schools reduced to rubble, humanitarian workers deliberately targeted and humanitarian efforts intentionally obstructed. The Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law clearly prohibit all this,” he said.
The exhibition, co-hosted by the museum and the ICRC, in cooperation with the Swiss Embassy, seeks to humanize the impact of conflict by presenting photographs and testimonies from people affected by war. Quesne expressed hope that visitors would be reminded of the commitments states have made to protect human dignity, even during armed conflicts.
“In an increasingly polarized world, the Geneva Conventions stand as a collective agreement that wars have limits,” he said.
He also highlighted the ICRC’s ongoing humanitarian work in some of the world’s most challenging conflict zones, including Gaza, Ukraine, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan and Sudan. The organization continues to act as a neutral intermediary between parties in conflict while providing life-saving assistance to affected populations.
“I hope that this exhibition serves as a powerful reminder of the promises that all states have made to humanity, to the very children, women and men whose faces and voices you will encounter in photographs and quotes behind me,” he said. “After all, at its heart, this is about people.”
Reflecting on the exhibition's historical significance, Lee Jin-hyun, director of the museum's exhibition division, said it was created to share a vital message with Koreans. He stressed the enduring importance of human dignity and international humanitarian law, which must be protected at all costs, even in times of war and armed conflict.
“Every day, the news confronts us with the harsh realities of ongoing conflicts and wars around the globe,” he said. “While wars continue to persist, there still remain minimal rules and principles of humanity that we must uphold. This is rooted in the firm belief that 'wars have limits,' which is the core value that the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law strive to protect.”
The exhibition, Lee said, goes beyond simply chronicling the history of warfare. It is designed to look back at the birth of the Geneva Conventions, examine the ICRC's humanitarian efforts during the Korean War and explore what international humanitarian law means to us today, with modern conflicts now being driven by new technologies like drones and AI.
“My sincere hope is that this exhibition serves as an opportunity for our citizens to view war not just as a distant story or a page in history, but as an issue deeply connected to our lives today,” he said. “In an era of conflict, human dignity, the value of life and the international community’s commitment to protecting one another become more crucial than ever. Moving forward, the Seoul Museum of History will continue to evolve as a city history museum that does not just record the past, but reflects on pivotal contemporary values and questions alongside our citizens.”
The organizers hope the exhibition will serve as an opportunity for visitors to revisit the meaning and relevance of the Geneva Conventions, and to consider why they mattered yesterday, matter today and will continue to matter tomorrow.
A visitor looks at an exhibit during a reception for the "Wars Have Limits" exhibition in the lobby of the Seoul Museum of History, June 4. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
The exhibition runs until Aug. 9. Admission is free. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Visit museum.seoul.go.kr for more information.
Bereket Alemayehu is an Ethiopian photo artist, social activist and writer based in Seoul. He’s also the co-founder of Hanokers, a refugee-led social initiative, and a freelance contributor for Pressenza Press Agency.