The effects of exhaust gas recirculation(EGR) on the characteristics of exhaust emissions and specific fuel consumption have been investigated using an eight-cylinder, four cycle, direct injection diesel engine operating at several loads and speeds. The experiments in this study are conducted on the fixed fuel injection timing of $38^{circ}$ BTDC regardless of experimental conditions. In conclusion, it is found that $NO_{x}$ emission is markedly reduced with the drop of burnt gas temperature at high speeds and loads especially as the EGR rate increases, while the soot particulate rises with EGR rate and load at a given engine speed, especially high loads. The reduction of exhaust emissions within the Korea heavy duty diesel engine emission standards can be roughly achieved by the optimal EGR rate without degarding the specific fuel consumption, based on the correlations between exhaust emissions.