Maria Socorro Gochoco-Bautista: Title and focus of the study: Is depopulation in non–Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA) equivalent to excessive population concentration in SMA? The paper seems to equate both and use the terms interchangeably. In many parts of the paper, excessive population concentration in SMA is stated as the problem that must be addressed. I think the authors need to clarify the distinction between the two, if any, and modify the title to include excessive population concentration in SMA rather than only rapid depopulation.
In the abstract alone, the first line says, “This study explores the potential effectiveness of remote work as a policy tool to mitigate depopulation in non-metropolitan areas of South Korea.” Yet in the last sentence of the abstract, the authors say, “These results suggest that remote work may offer a viable and effective strategy for addressing the issue of excessive population concentration in Seoul and its...