Residents' groups in Uijeongbu have sounded the alarm about a severe municipal financial crisis, leading to cuts in crucial budgets for education and welfare. A survey conducted by the civic watch group 'Uijeongbu Watch' showed that 90.6% of the 31 participating local organizations believe the city's financial situation is dire and requires urgent measures. Many groups report struggling to maintain their activities due to declining financial support, as the city's self-reliance on its finances drops significantly from 41.9% in 2010 to an estimated 22.1% by 2025. The city is also facing additional financial pressures from operations deficits and lawsuit compensations totaling over 1.9 trillion won.

The civic groups have pointed out that the financial crisis should not come at the expense of essential services like education. Prominent voices among the organizations have criticized the disproportionate reductions in education budgets, with some declaring it unreasonable for a city with fewer students to receive more funding than Uijeongbu. The consensus among these groups is that trimming the budget for education, a fundamental component of community development, equates to neglecting the future of the region.

Participants in the survey identified areas where budget allocations should be prioritized, such as education, job creation, and welfare for vulnerable populations. Conversely, they recommended cutting expenses tied to extravagant construction projects and frivolous cultural events. The representatives of these civic organizations are urging the municipal government and city council to collaboratively address the financial crisis to ensure the resilience of critical community services.