(Adds details) SEOUL, Feb 22 (Reuters) - South Korea’s exports during the first 20 days of February expanded 16.7% from a year earlier, customs agency data showed on Monday, faster than a 10.5% rise during the Jan. 1-20 period, underpinning the trade-led recovery. The breakdown of data suggests the recovery has been supported by a sales boost in major trading items and strong global demand. By product, outbound shipments of semiconductors, cars and mobile phones surged 27.5%, 45.9% and 33.6%, respectively, in Feb. 1-20, while those of oil products and computer peripherals slid 5.7% and 4.8% each. By destination, exports to China, the United States and the European Union soared 32.7%, 14% and 53.6%, respectively. Per-day exports, however, jumped 29.2% year-on-year, as there were 1.5 fewer working days than the comparable period of 2020 due to the nation’s Lunar New Year holiday. Imports also jumped 24.1%, much sharper than a 2.4% rise in Jan. 1-20, resulting in a provisional trade deficit of $1.21 billion for the period. Full-month data for February will be released on March 1. (Reporting by Joori Roh; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Sam Holmes)