Provided is an error check and correction (ECC) circuit which includes a Chien search unit configured to determine whether there is an error in a data string. The Chien search unit includes a circuit configured to calculate a first bit string by multiplying a plurality of elements of Galois Field GF(2n) and a value of (n-k)-bit, and calculate a second bit string by multiplying the plurality of elements and a value of k-bit; and a plurality of Chien search circuits configured to combine the first bit string and the second bit string to calculate the arbitrary element. The plurality of Chien search circuits are arranged in a matrix along a row direction and a column direction. The first bit string is provided in the row direction or the column direction, and the second bit string is provided in a direction different from the direction of the first bit string.