The men's K-2 1000 metres event was a pairs kayaking event conducted as part of the Canoeing at the 1988 Summer Olympics program.
20 crews entered in three heats on September 27. The top three finishers from each of the heats advanced directly to the semifinals. The remaining eleven teams were relegated to the repechage heats.
Taking place on September 27, the top three competitors in each of the two repechages advanced to the semifinals.
The top three finishers in each of the three semifinals (raced on September 29) advanced to the final.
Pre-Olympic favorite France was disqualified in the first semifinal for failing to make it to the starting line on time.
The final was held on October 1.