The correct interpretation there is that for any given R-S code, the tolerance for correctable errors is half as many bits as the tolerance for uncorrectable but still detectable errors. If you have an R-S code constructed to correct 6 bits or detect 12-bit errors, then for a given message:
if the number of corrupted bits is no more than six, you can reconstruct the original message
if the number of corrupted bits is between 6 and 12, you will detect the corruption
if the number of corrupted bits is larger than 12, you may or may not detect the corruption.
> By adding t check symbols to the data, a Reed–Solomon code can detect (but not correct) any combination of up to and including t erroneous symbols, OR locate and correct up to and including ⌊t/2⌋ erroneous symbols at unknown locations
So it looks like you would have to choose between, either:
No?[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reed%E2%80%93Solomon_error_cor...