also: せむ
noun
worldly affairs; public affairs
Refers to matters of the secular world, often contrasted with religious or private life. Somewhat formal and not an everyday word.
彼は世務を離れて隠遁生活を送った。
He left worldly affairs behind and lived in seclusion.
僧侶は世務にかかわらず修行に専念した。
The monk devoted himself to training without getting involved in public affairs.
俗務 also means worldly or secular affairs, but often with a stronger nuance of mundane, vulgar, or everyday business, while 世務 can sound slightly more neutral or formal.
Compound of 世 (world, society) and 務 (duty, affairs). The reading せいむ is the standard Sino-Japanese reading; せむ is a rare historical variant.