South Korea has decided to abandon its bid to host the 16th Asian Games in 2010.

The Korean Olympic Committee said it had notified the Olympic Council of Asia, the region's sports governing body, of Seoul's decision to withdraw its application submitted in December to host the games.

A senior sports official said the Korean Olympic Committee decided it would be unfair for South Korea to host the games after having hosted the Asiad in 1986 and most recently in 2002.

With South Korea's withdrawl, China and Malaysia remain the only competitors in the bid to host the event.

The Olympic Council of Asia will select between the two candidate nations in July at a general meeting in Doha, Qatar.