Chapter 5
“Today’s schedule consists of the official welcome ceremony and the state banquet.”
At Secretary Seo’s voice as he began the day’s briefing, Eunwoo deliberately pushed Kang Heejae’s earlier provocation out of her mind.
While eating food he had personally plated, Secretary Seo shared updates relayed from the Presidential Office.
“Following the official welcome ceremony, which will be held alongside the British military inspection at Horse Guards, the President is scheduled to visit the UK Parliament to deliver a speech. However, we’ve received a request that the business leaders be excluded from that portion of the schedule and instead focus on tomorrow’s business forum.”
“There are no changes to the order of entry for the banquet hall?”
“I’m afraid not. My apologies.”
“We should do it the Korean way.”
Eunwoo recalled HJ’s dissatisfaction with the banquet entry order from the previous day.
—We should at least leverage corporate rankings to secure a spot at the front. Let’s do it the Korean way.
By “the Korean way,” he meant participating in events according to corporate hierarchy, like at the Korea Chamber of Commerce’s New Year business gathering.
If that standard were applied, Kang Heejae—head of Sunmang, currently ranked first in the business world—would enter the banquet hall ahead of other entrepreneurs. However, the protocol hierarchy that included government officials operated differently. Depending on the nature of the event, the order of precedence could change.
For companies listed as part of the official state delegation, selection had not been based on domestic corporate rankings but rather on the importance of their MOUs with British companies.
That was why, in this protocol, the Korean corporate hierarchy held no priority. Moreover, among the delegates, Kang Heejae held the lowest official title.
“As you know, the business leaders included in the delegation are all requesting that the order be based on rank.”
“They’re all insisting they’re chairmen, I suppose.”
“Yes… well, companies like Sunjeong and Daemyung have their chairmen attending in person, but as for us… you know…”
“I know. I’m just a mere director.”
“A ‘mere’ director? Technically, your position is equivalent to the heads of strategic planning at Sunjeong or Daemyung.”
“No need to comfort me.”
“Ahem. In any case, I’ve been looking into relevant precedents since early this morning. Since there’s never been a case like this—where so many business leaders are included in a presidential delegation—we’re trying to reference foreign examples.”
Only then did Eunwoo realize why Secretary Seo had been working alone since dawn. He was trying to find a way to ensure Kang Heejae entered the banquet ahead of the other business leaders.
“Don’t push yourself too hard. I can let it slide once. Respect for elders, after all.”
Director Kang, holding his knife, cut into his bacon and brought it to his mouth. His tone was light, as if he had no lingering attachment to something that couldn’t be changed—but Eunwoo felt a tightening pressure in her chest.
If HJ said he would let it go just once, it meant there would be no second time.
However, in diplomatic protocol—where precedent was paramount—there was no guarantee that future events, where he might again act in place of the chairman, wouldn’t place him behind others once more.
Secretary Seo, as if choking, hurriedly reached for his glass of water. At that moment, his gaze met Eunwoo’s. Though no words were exchanged, their intentions aligned instantly.
No matter what, they had to place Director Kang Heejae at the very front.
Back in Korea, they might have forced the issue—reserving seats or pushing ahead—but in the rigid world of diplomatic protocol, such tactics were unthinkable. To overturn a rank-based system, they needed a justification both countries could agree on.
A justification…
Suddenly, a thought struck Eunwoo. She set her cutlery down.
“Director Kang.”
At her call, he lifted his gaze. Eunwoo quickly picked up the tablet beside her and pulled up a list of articles she had been following about the connection between the Sunmang Group and the British royal family.
“I understand that the Chairman received an order from the former King of the United Kingdom seventeen years ago.”
“British honors typically carry authority only among Commonwealth citizens.”
Though he questioned whether that could serve as justification, Kang Heejae did not look away, signaling for her to continue.
“At an overseas corporate symposium hosted by London City Hall last year, business leaders who had received orders of the British Empire were given precedence in the front row. When the recipients themselves were absent, senior management from their companies stood in their place at the front.”
“So?”
“As you mentioned, the benefits of such honors are limited to Commonwealth citizens. However, within the UK, foreign recipients of honorary orders are still accorded respect. Just as our country honors the families of foreign veterans who received military decorations during the Korean War, there should be precedents that allow for adjustments in protocol ranking.”
“How much time do we have before the schedule?”
“Two hours. You’re scheduled to leave the hotel in one hour.”
“Then I suppose I should start by getting dressed.”
Having finished his meal, Kang Heejae placed his cutlery neatly to the right of his plate. Eunwoo, who was about to stand and assist with his attire, recalled something he had said.
—Ms. Kim Eunwoo, focus on what only you can do.
She barely restrained herself from rising and instead looked up at him.
“Y-Your outfit for today has already been set aside on the mobile rack. If you could come out wearing just the jacket, I’ll prepare the coat and muffler separately to match the weather.”
The moment she spoke, a thought crossed her mind.
Is this really okay?
Fortunately, he simply gave a short nod in agreement and headed toward the dressing room.
Click.
Only after the door closed did Eunwoo belatedly glance between the empty seat he had occupied and the closed door, her eyes wide.
She had seen many people claim to value horizontal collaboration over rigid hierarchy—but he was the first she had seen truly act that way.
“Secretary Seo.”
For some reason, motivation surged within her. Eunwoo pushed her dishes aside and faced him.
“Y-Yes? Ms. Kim… your eyes suddenly look like they’re on fire.”
“If we don’t solve this, I think both you and I are going to be in serious trouble.”
“…That does seem likely.”
“So let me ask you this. In Director Kang’s English profile for this trip, is the Chairman’s receipt of the British honor mentioned?”
Before any diplomatic or corporate protocol event, both sides exchanged profiles to align expectations.
“There wasn’t a section for additional notes. The collection and exchange of profiles were handled by the governments, so there was no room to include anything beyond the designated fields. Of course, to emphasize our ties with the UK, the matter was conveyed verbally, and the Presidential Office is aware of it.”
“I see…”
In protocol, exceptions were not easily acknowledged. Once you began allowing them, you would have to accommodate every VIP’s demands.
But this time, they had to create an exception—and overturn the order.
The goal was clear: among the accompanying business leaders, Kang Heejae had to stand at the very front—close enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with high-ranking government officials.
‘Will this work?’
Holding the tablet, Eunwoo opened her business card management app.
She found the contact of a protocol officer she had met at the London City Hall symposium and sent a brief message.
Though it was early, he replied that he was available, and she immediately placed the call.
“Good morning, this is Eunwoo Kim from Sunmang Electronics in London. I apologize for calling you so early in the morning. I hope this call is not too inconvenient for you.”
At last year’s symposium, companies whose CEOs had received the Order of the British Empire were positioned at the front. At the time, employees of Sunmang Electronics’ London branch had also been seated in the front row.
Seventeen years ago, Chairman Kang of Sunmang had pushed forward the establishment of manufacturing facilities in the UK and was awarded the Order of the British Empire by the Queen in recognition of his contributions to economic exchange between the two nations.
Using this as an example, Eunwoo explained that Director Kang Heejae was the grandson of that decorated Chairman. Her key question was whether the same preferential treatment applied at the symposium could also be extended to diplomatic protocol.
In response, the London City Hall protocol officer asked several questions. As she spoke, Eunwoo quickly searched through her tablet, finding answers in the articles she had saved and responding without hesitation.
Terms like “MBE” and “KBE” flowed from her lips. Secretary Seo, who had been agonizing over protocol rankings all night, had by now moved to sit diagonally across from her, listening intently.
After a brief five-minute call, Eunwoo lowered her phone. Expectation flickered in Secretary Seo’s anxious eyes.
“Secretary Seo.”
“Yes, Ms. Eunwoo.”
A faint smile curved her lips.
“I think this might work.”
