An object of the present invention is to provide a technology of preventing, in an exhaust gas recirculation system having a low pressure EGR passage that recirculates a part of the exhaust gas from the exhaust passage at some point downstream of the exhaust gas purification apparatus to the intake passage, fragments of the exhaust gas purification apparatus from entering the intake system through the low pressure EGR passage in case that breakage of the exhaust gas purification apparatus occurs. The inventive system has a low pressure EGR valve provided in the low pressure EGR passage, an EGR control unit (S101-S103) for recirculating exhaust gas to the intake passage by opening the low pressure EGR valve, and a breakage detection unit (S104-S107) for detecting breakage of the exhaust gas purification apparatus. When breakage of the exhaust gas purification apparatus is detected, the low pressure EGR valve is closed (S108).