In what was undoubtedly a huge coincidence, dozens of different North Korean officials died in traffic accidents last year.

A new report by Amnesty International says 30 officials were killed last year for apparently failing to improve relations with the South, many in “staged traffic accidents.” Another 200 were arrested in preparation for Kim Jong-un becoming absolute ruler after his father’s death. They were likely sent to the country’s horrific gulags where an estimated 200,000 political prisoners are held (including children).

The Amnesty report also alleges widespread torture, travel restrictions both inside the country and out, severe food shortages, no independent sources of inforation, and just a generally shitty existence for North Koreans.

Is failing to end a decades-long standoff with South Korea grounds for execution? Well, some could argue that it shows the North’s seriousness about better relations with their neighbours. However, they still seem pretty belligerent. The state-run Korean Central News Agency’s website currently has a number of vaguely threatening messages about cutting out the windpipes of the “rats” who support South Korea’s president Lee Myung-bak. Crazy, or smart diplomacy? You decide.