* Feb exports rise far more than expected
* Exports per working day up from Jan: Reuters calculation
* Interest rate view little changed: analysts (Updates with details, analyst)
By Yoo Choonsik
SEOUL, March 1 (Reuters) - South Korea's exports in February rose more than expected from a year earlier, easing concerns about the sustainability of the recovery in Asia's fourth-largest economy.
Exports in February rose 31.0 percent from a year earlier to $33.27 billion, Ministry of Knowledge Economy data showed on Monday, beating a 22.7 percent gain forecast in a Reuters survey and following a revised 46.7 percent rise in January.
Analysts were sceptical the robust export data alone would relieve the central bank of its concerns about uncertain global economic and financial prospects and change its cautious stance on interest rates.
"Favourable exports data backs up the recovery scenario, but it is unlikely to sharply raise the case for a rate increase. The current low rate policy is based on the possibility of global uncertainties, rather than the data alone," said Lee Sang-jae, economist at Hyundai Securities.
"Uncertainties over the global economy's recovery are lingering and inflationary pressure remains benign."
The average exports value per working day -- a useful measure of monthly changes because the country does not unveil seasonally adjusted figures -- rose to $1.62 billion in February from $1.38 billion in January, Reuters calculation shows.
South Korea is the first big exporter in Asia to report monthly foreign trade figures, thus attracting attention from around the region for clues on the health of the world trade.
The Bank of Korea had first flagged an imminent interest rate increase in September last year, but has since changed its rhetoric, prompting analysts to push back their timing for a raise to later this year.
Imports in February jumped 36.9 percent to $30.94 billion, bringing the trade balance back to a surplus of $2.33 billion from a $0.46 billion deficit in January.
The ministry is due to release more details on the February foreign trade later in the day. (Additional reporting by Rhee So-eui; Editing by Jan Dahinten)