A memory controller for use in a memory system may include a counter configured to count a number of times a read operation corresponding to a read request received from a host is performed; a token manager configured to generate a token each time a count value of the counter reaches a preset count, the token representing a right to perform a background operation; and a operation performing unit configured to perform foreground operations corresponding to the respective requests in response to the requests received from the host, request the token manager to allocate the token to the operation performing unit each time the background operation is triggered, and perform the background operation when the token is allocated from the token manager to the operation performing unit.