What was Operation Paul Bunyan, and how was Moon Jae-In involved?

Operation Paul Bunyan was a massive show of force launched by the United States and South Korea in August 1976. The operation was a direct response to the murder of two U.S. Army officers by North Korean troops, who attacked them while they were attempting to trim a poplar tree that obstructed the view of a United Nations observation post in the demilitarized zone (DMZ).123

To ensure the tree was removed and to intimidate North Korea, the mission involved more than 300 troops, including South Korean special forces, supported by B-52 bombers, fighter aircraft, and attack helicopters.13

Moon Jae-In, who served as a special forces commando in the South Korean army from 1975 to 1978, participated in Operation Paul Bunyan during his military service.2