We describe a NAND flash memory device including a memory cell array formed on a substrate including a plurality of cell strings each including a string selecting transistor, a ground selecting transistor, and plural memory cells serially coupled between the string selecting transistor and the ground selecting transistor. A high voltage generator is configured to supply a bulk voltage to the substrate and an erase control circuit is configured to stepwise increase the bulk voltage during a first period of an erase operation and to maintain the bulk voltage substantially constant during a second period of the erase operation.