An method is provided for operating a memory system. The method includes reading data from memory cells connected to a selected word line to generate read data; performing an error correction operation based on the read data and generating segmented error correcting code (ECC) read data; transferring the segmented ECC read data to a host side buffer and increasing a value of a host DMA count; comparing the value of the host DMA count with a read latency count value; selectively updating an ECC status information signal according to the comparison result; and transferring the segmented ECC read data to a host.