The 2nd East Asian Games were held in Busan, South Korea from May 10 to May 19, 1997.

Originally, the second edition of the East Asian Games was to be held in Pyongyang, North Korea, in September 1995.

However, North Korea dropped the games due to the unstable policial situation in the Korean Peninsula.

[1] North Korea was the only East Asian member nation which did not field a team.

The Busan Gudeok Stadium was the main venue for the Games, hosting the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the athletics and football competitions.